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  • Swelling Among Women Who Need Education About Leg Lymphedema: A Descriptive Study of Lymphedema in Women Undergoing Surgery for Endometrial Cancer

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Quality of Life
Swelling Among Women Who Need Education About Leg Lymphedema: A Descriptive Study of Lymphedema in Women Undergoing Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
  1. Ritu Salani, MD, MBA*,
  2. Megan M. Preston, MD*,
  3. Erinn M. Hade, PhD†,
  4. Jessica Johns, MD*,
  5. Jeffrey M. Fowler, MD*,
  6. Electra P. Paskett, PhD‡ and
  7. Mira L. Katz, PhD‡
  1. *Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; and
  2. †Center for Biostatistics, and
  3. ‡Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, College of Medicine, College of Public Health, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
  1. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Ritu Salani, MD, MBA, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, 320 W 10th Ave, M210 Starling Loving, Columbus, OH 43210. E-mail: ritu.salani{at}osumc.edu.

Abstract

Objectives In addition to hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, comprehensive surgical staging for endometrial cancer includes pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Clarifying and addressing the morbidity from these surgical procedures is imperative. The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of lower extremity swelling after surgery for endometrial cancer.

Materials and Methods We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional survey study of women who underwent surgery for endometrial cancer at our institution from 2006 to 2008. Survey information included symptoms, management, and education regarding lymphedema. Demographic information such as race and education was collected in addition to clinical data such as body mass index and age.

Results Of the 482 patients identified, 440 were determined eligible and 305 (69.3%) responded to the survey with information on lower limb swelling (LLS). Of the 108 (35%) responders who reported swelling, only 68 (22%) participants reported a diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema (LLL). The most commonly experienced symptoms among those who reported LLS were tightness, pain/tenderness, and heaviness. Among those with a diagnosis of LLL, most (60%) stated it affected their daily activities and noted exacerbating factors such as prolonged standing, heat, and walking. The most common therapies used to reduce symptoms included leg elevation (96%), compression stockings (65%), diuretics (46%), massage therapy (35%), and bandaging (25%). There was no association between LLS or LLL diagnosis and body mass index, age, race, and tobacco use. Only 8% of responders reported receiving preoperative education regarding risks for LLS and a desire for more comprehensive education was frequently noted.

Conclusions The patient-reported incidence of LLS occurred in approximately 35% of survey participants who underwent surgery for endometrial cancer. However, only 22% reported a diagnosis of LLL. Efforts to obtain the true incidence of LLL and to develop effective educational materials and programs to improve the management of lymphedema are warranted.

  • Lower limb lymphedema
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Lower limb swelling

https://doi.org/10.1097/IGC.0000000000000226

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    Footnotes

    • Supported by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Pilot Project and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR001070).

    • The authors declare no conflicts of interest.