Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Clinical and Epidemiological Features in Mexico

Backgroundː There is a lack of clinical and epidemiological knowledge about cancer-related lymphedema in Mexico. The objective of this study is to present a broad and deep report of cancer-related lymphedema’s clinical characteristics and epidemiological features based on the analysis of CRL patients’ data, collected from a specialized rehabilitation clinic in Mexico.

Methodsː This is a cohort study based on the analysis of clinical data gathered between 2015 and 2022. The study was developed in a private clinic that specializes in oncological patients’ rehabilitation. Clinical assessments and interviews were performed to collect each case’s clinical history, considering diverse clinical characteristics and demographic information, classified in a matrix, and statistically evaluated.

Resultsː Among 307 lymphedema patients, gender distribution was represented by 87.9% (270) female and 12.1% (37) male; mean age of 54.5 years (± 32.5); 79.8% of the patients corresponded to breast cancer diagnosis, the rest of them were associated with other 19 different types of cancer. 90.2% of patients underwent some lymph node removal procedure, 68.1% of patients received fractioned radiotherapy sessions, and 87.7% received some chemotherapy scheme treatment. 64% of patients had a diagnosis of lymphedema and had onset symptoms of lymphedema in the first 5 years after oncological interventions and/or cancer diagnosis, most of them during the first 2 years. The general distribution of clinical staging was: 23.7% in stage 0; 20.1% in stage I; 44.6% in stage II, and in stage III 11.4%. Regarding body mass index, it was found a mean of 26.7 BMI. 61.2% of patients ranged between overweight and obesity. 43.3% of patients with CRL reported a disability to perform one or more activities due to lymphedema. 80% of patients had no physical activity or performed under the minimal physical activity recommended for the population group they belong.

Conclusionː This study reports broad epidemiological and clinical features of a group of cancer-related lymphedema patients in Mexico, it was possible to identify diverse potential factors and relations that influence the clinical features of CRL; it is necessary to explore all factors and the interactions among them for a better understanding of CRL patients in the country.