SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2015
A systematic review of axillary web syndrome (AWS).
Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05115799 (Effects of a Manual Therapy Program to Reduce the Evolution Time of Axillary Web Syndrome), which is not on this map. Cited by 32 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Effects of a Manual Therapy Program to Reduce the Evolution Time of Axillary Web Syndrome
Who cites it
32 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 89 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effectiveness of physical therapy in axillary web syndrome after breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023Pooled it
- Risk factors of pain in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2017Pooled it
- Comparative effects of lymphatic drainage and soft tissue mobilization on pain threshold, shoulder mobility and quality of life in patients with axillary web syndrome after mastectomy.BMC women's health · 2023Trial
- Axillary Web Syndrome Beyond Breast Cancer: Expanding the Clinical Spectrum Through Illustrative Cases and Contemporary Evidence.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Axillary Web Syndrome in Newly Diagnosed Individuals After Surgery for Breast Cancer: Baseline Results From the AMBER Cohort Study.Physiotherapy Canada. Physiotherapie Canada · 2025Article
- Protocol to improve quality of life, functionality, and exercise capacity in patients with axillary web syndrome after breast cancer: a randomized clinical trial.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Article
- The impact of combined Gua Sha and myofascial release techniques on upper limb dysfunction in patients with breast cancer and axillary web syndrome: a prospective case series study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Article
- The incidence of and risk factors for axillary web syndrome with limited shoulder movement after surgery for breast cancer, and the effect of early physical therapy intervention.Discover oncology · 2025Article
- Sonographically Detectable Idiopathic Axillary Web Syndrome With Concurrent Thrombophlebitis: A Case Report.Cureus · 2025Article
- Redefining the Axillary Aesthetic: Surgical Management of Axillary Tissue Hypertrophy.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2024Article
- Article
- 'Patience is a virtue' - Post-traumatic Axillary Web Syndrome - resolution without intervention.Archive of clinical cases · 2023Article
- Occurrence of axillary web syndrome without surgical intervention: a case report.The Journal of international medical research · 2023Article
- Article
- Lymphoscintigraphic Investigations for Axillary Web Syndromes.Lymphatic research and biology · 2022Article
- Axillary Web Syndrome in Breast Cancer Women: What Is the Optimal Rehabilitation Strategy after Surgery? A Systematic Review.Journal of clinical medicine · 2022Review
- Web Axillary Pain Syndrome-Literature Evidence and Novel Rehabilitative Suggestions: A Narrative Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Review
- A Risk Factor Analysis of Axillary Web Syndrome in Patients After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Single Center Study in Korea.Annals of rehabilitation medicine · 2021Article
- Observational
- Incidence and predictors of axillary web syndrome and its association with lymphedema in women following breast cancer treatment: a retrospective study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionAxillary web syndrome (AWS) can result in early post-operative and long-term difficulties following lymphadenectomy for cancer and should be recognised by clinicians. This systematic review was conducted to synthesise information on AWS clinical presentation and diagnosis, frequency, natural progression, grading, pathoaetiology, risk factors, symptoms, interventions and outcomes.
methodsElectronic searches were conducted using Cochrane, Pubmed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, AMED, PEDro and Google Scholar until June 2013. The methodological quality of included studies was determined using the Downs and Black checklist. Narrative synthesis of results was undertaken.
resultsThirty-seven studies with methodological quality scores ranging from 11 to 26 on a 28-point scale were included. AWS diagnosis relies on inspection and palpation; grading has not been validated. AWS frequency was reported in up to 85.4 % of patients. Biopsies identified venous and lymphatic pathoaetiology with five studies suggesting lymphatic involvement. Twenty-one studies reported AWS occurrence within eight post-operative weeks, but late occurrence of greater than 3 months is possible. Pain was commonly reported with shoulder abduction more restricted than flexion. AWS symptoms usually resolve within 3 months but may persist. Risk factors may include extensiveness of surgery, younger age, lower body mass index, ethnicity and healing complications. Low-quality studies suggest that conservative approaches including analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or physiotherapy may be safe and effective for early symptom reduction.
conclusionsAWS appears common. Current evidence for the treatment of AWS is insufficient to provide clear guidance for clinical practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Cancer survivors should be informed about AWS. Further investigation is needed into pathoaetiology, long-term outcomes and to determine effective treatment using standardised outcomes.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.