TITLE:
Lymphedema in the Mastectomy Postoperative Period: An Integrative Literature Review
AUTHORS:
Ana Fátima Carvalho Fernandes, Glécya Oliveira Vidal, Camila Brasil Moreira, Tiago Barreto de Castro e Silva, Paula Natasha Rodrigues Valentim, Míria Conceição Lavinas Santos
KEYWORDS:
Breast Cancer; Post-Operative Care; Nursing
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Breast Cancer Research,
Vol.2 No.4,
September
23,
2013
ABSTRACT: Aims and Objectives: To analyze the evidence available in the literature on the stages
during which upper limb lymphedema after mastectomy occurs. Background: Among the adverse effects
of breast cancer treatment, lymphedema is the most prevalent. Design: Integrative literature review. Methods: The Latin American and
Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (Literatura Latino-Americana e do
Caribe em Ciências da Saúde—LILACS), PubMed, and
Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases
were used to select the pertinent studies. The identification data for these
studies were summarized, and their methodological features and results were
extracted. Results: Regarding the
time elapsed since surgery, the highest prevalence of lymphedema corresponded
to the late postoperative period, and regarding its severity, mild lymphedema
was the most prevalent form. The prevalence was also the highest among
the women who were subjected to radical mastectomy and radiotherapy. Conclusions: Many women who are
undergoing treatment for breast cancer use strategies for the prevention and
control of lymphedema of the upper limb following mastectomy. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The
findings of the present study might inform future studies aiming to assess
strategies that can be started in the immediate and late postoperative stages
to detect lymphedema early and prevent the increase of its prevalence during
the late postoperative period after mastectomy.