MIZZOU RESEARCHERS: Major new breast cancer findings

MIZZOU, 12/22/09 (Beat Byte) --  Known as lymphedema, swollen lymph nodes are a major byproduct of breast cancer surgery and can last far longer than previously thought -- well past one year -- Mizzou researchers announced this month. 

 

"These preliminary findings provide additional evidence that breast cancer survivors are at a risk for developing lymphedema beyond the first year of treatment," Sinclair School of Nursing researcher Robin Shook said during a poster presentation.

 

Describing outcomes in 211 of 300 participants in the NIH-funded study, the report assessed the women over 30 months.  48% of participants had mastectomies; 39% had lumpectomies (tumor removal); and 115 women had both.  Rather than using one method to identify swollen nodes, the MU researchers used 4 different methods, and found that after one year, 41% of study participants experienced lymphedema using the most conservative criteria while 91% experienced lymphedema using the most liberal criteria. 

 

Previous reports showed lymphedema in 31% and 72% of women after one year -- much lower numbers -- using the respective criteria.