LYMPHEDEMA OF THE ARM AFTER PRIMARY-TREATMENT OF BREAST-CANCER

The incidence of lymphoedema of the arm depends on the radical nature of the primary treatment-radical mastectomy modified radical mastectom y and breast-preserving operation. Adjuvant radiotherapy increased sig nificantly the oedema rate of each operative modality. The quality of life could be improved by minimising the incidence of lymphoedema if c urrent standards of breast-preserving surgery were generally practised .