Are Black Women More Likely Than Others to Develop Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema?
Posted: Thursday, December 23, 2021
In a prospective screening study, Black and Hispanic women who underwent axillary lymph node dissection seemed to experience higher incidence rates of breast cancer–related lymphedema compared with White women. The results, which were presented by Andrea V. Barrio, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and colleagues during the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS; Abstract GS4-01), also revealed that Black race may be the strongest predictor of breast cancer–related lymphedema development.
“Lymphedema worsens quality of life for patients with breast cancer,” commented Dr. Barrio in an SABCS press release. A total of 268 White (62%), Black (21%), Asian (11%), and Hispanic (6%) patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection were enrolled in this study of breast cancer–related lymphedema (defined as a relative arm volume change ≥ 10% from baseline).
A total of 24.7% of women developed breast cancer–related lymphedema after a median follow-up of 1.6 years. In the entire cohort, the 18-month incidence rate of breast cancer–related lymphedema was 15.9%; this condition was reported at significantly higher rates in Black and Hispanic women than in Asian and White women (30.9% and 20.2% vs. 10.6% and 11.8%, respectively; P = .004). Based on the multivariate analysis, Black race seemed to be the strongest predictor of breast cancer–related lymphedema development (Black vs. White: P < .001); Asian race and Hispanic ethnicity did not seem to be associated with breast cancer–related lymphedema. In terms of severity, Black women were 3.85 times more likely to have a higher relative volume change than White women (P = .007); the severity of breast cancer–related lymphedema did not seem to significantly differ among Hispanic and Asian women.
Disclosure: Dr. Barrio reported no conflicts of interest.
