Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40463868›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in oncology2025

Risk factors for lower limb lymphedema after gynecological cancer treatment: a systematic review.

Tina Decorte, Marie Cerckel, George Bou Kheir, Chris Monten, Katrien Vandecasteele, Luc Vanden Bossche, Nele S Pauwels, Caren Randon

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
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  5. Review
  6. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Tina DecorteDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Clinic for Lymphatic Disorders, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Marie CerckelFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
George Bou KheirDepartment of Urology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Chris MontenDepartment of Radiation Oncology and Clinic for Lymphatic Disorders, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Katrien VandecasteeleDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Luc Vanden BosscheDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Nele S PauwelsKnowledge Centre for Health Ghent, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Caren RandonDepartment of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery and Clinic for Lymphatic Disorders, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: As treatments in gynecological cancer improve, the number of cancer survivors increases, with more patients facing long-term side effects of their treatment. One debilitating side effect is lower limb lymphedema (LLL). Unlike upper limb lymphedema (ULL), diagnosis of LLL remains challenging due to the absence of a clear definition, bilateral presentation complicating comparison, and confusion with post-operative weight changes. This systematic review investigated incidences and risk factors for LLL. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases for articles on LLL following treatment for pelvic gynecological cancer from 1979 to November 2024. Two independent researchers extracted data, based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We assessed bias using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies (ROBINS-I) tool and adhered to PRISMA reporting guidelines. Results: Our review included 46 studies, with incidence rates varying widely across cancer types: 7.4-55.9% in cervical cancer, 1.2-47% in endometrial cancer, 5.6-30.4% in ovarian cancer, and 10.1-43% in vulvar cancer. Several risk factors for LLL emerged. Notably, lymphadenectomy, the number of removed lymph nodes, radiotherapy, and a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 25 kg/m² were significant risk factors. Surgical technique did not impact LLL risk. Conclusion: LLL frequently occurs following gynecological cancer treatments, emphasizing the importance of careful monitoring and proactive management in clinical settings. Overall, the findings highlight the complexity and variability in risk factors for LLL across different gynecological cancers. The significant heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and methodologies underscores the need for standardized approaches in future research to better understand and mitigate the risk of LLL in these patients. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42020198642.

Indexed as

gynecological cancerincidencelower extremity lymphedemareviewrisk factors

Identifiers

PMID40463868
PMCPMC12129805

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.