Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41251910›Full record

ArticleAnnals of surgical oncology2026

Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL): Comprehensive Characterization of Patients Seeking Microsurgical Treatment.

Daphne van Gemert, Louise Marie Beelen, Julia Mos, Laurentine van Egdom, Gilbert-Jan van Gaalen, Agnes Jager, Linetta Koppert, Anne-Margreet van Dishoeck, Mark van der Oest, Dalibor Vasilic

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Annals of surgical oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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

What it found

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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

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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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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

10 authors.

Daphne van GemertDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-2411-2820
Louise Marie BeelenDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Julia MosDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Laurentine van EgdomDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Gilbert-Jan van GaalenDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Agnes JagerDepartment of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Linetta KoppertDepartment of Surgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Anne-Margreet van DishoeckDepartment of Research and Education, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Mark van der OestDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Dalibor VasilicDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. d.vasilic@erasmusmc.nl.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAccurate characterization of the breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCLR) population is essential to understand its pathophysiology and develop predictive models for identifying at-risk patients and implementing tailored preventive microsurgical strategies. Key factors influencing BCRL severity and progression remain unclear. This study characterizes patients with BCRL seeking microsurgical treatment and evaluates the impact of oncological treatment intensity on lymphedema severity and progression.

methodsThis cohort study was conducted at an outpatient tertiary lymphedema clinic between 2017 and 2023. BCRL severity was assessed at intake by a lymphedema-specialized plastic surgeon using International Society of Lymphology staging and indocyanine green lymphography with near-infrared fluorescence imaging (ICG-NIFI). Data were collected during scheduled medical evaluations and analyzed retrospectively. Exploratory analysis investigated associations between oncological treatment intensity and BCRL severity and progression.

resultsA total of 163 consecutive female patients with BCRL were included. Lymphedema severity varied significantly, with no consistent link between severity and time since onset. A significant association was found between axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and ICG-NIFI stages (p<0.001). However, no significant associations were found between oncological treatment intensity-surgery, radiotherapy, systemic treatment-and BCRL severity and progression. Analyses further revealed associations between lymphedema severity, body mass index, postmenopausal status, and clinical course.

conclusionThis study provides a comprehensive profile of patients with BCRL seeking microsurgical treatment, revealing variable lymphedema progression patterns. Oncological treatment intensity did not appear to influence BCRL severity or progression, suggesting that these may depend more on biological predisposition. These findings enhance BCRL understanding and highlight the importance of precise patient characterization, laying the foundation for targeted, individually tailored preventive microsurgical interventions.

Indexed as

Breast Cancer LymphedemaBreast NeoplasmsLymph Node ExcisionMicrosurgeryAdultAgedDisease ProgressionFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansIndocyanine GreenLymphographyMiddle AgedPrognosisRetrospective StudiesSeverity of Illness IndexIndocyanine GreenBreast cancerBreast cancer-related lymphedemaMicrosurgeryOncologySecondary lymphedema

Identifiers

PMID41251910
PMCPMC12901141

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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.