Arm morbidity after breast-conserving therapy for breast cancer

This study reports on 110 consecutive patients, mean age 59 years, operated on for partial mastectomy and axillary dissection. Radiotherapy of 50 Gy w as administered to 75 of the patients. Most rumours were T1 rumours and all patients were N0. Lymphoedema is defined as an increase in arm volume > 10 % and impaired shoulder mobility as an impairment of 15 degrees compared wi th the preoperative value. After operation, 21 patients developed lymphoede ma, 17 in the radiotherapy group and 4 in the group without radiotherapy; 4 9% of the patients had reduced shoulder mobility, and of these, 57% were in the radiotherapy group and 30% in the group without radiotherapy. We found a good correlation between the number of patients stating arm swelling and patients with registered lymphoedema. There were fewer patients stating li mitation of movement than patients with registered impaired mobility; 31% o f patients were still perceiving some pain five years after the operation. We conclude, that breast-conserving therapy in breast cancer is afflicted w ith a significant arm morbidity that persists for several years after surge ry.