Nerve entrapments associated with postmastectomy lymphedema

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(197912)44:6<2254::AID-CNCR2820440638>3.0.CO;2-9· OSTI ID:5584853

Ganel, A; Engel, J; Sela, M; Brooks, M

Ninety females underwent mastectomy for breast cancer and were thereafter investigated to determine whether nerve entrapments were responsible for some of the disabling symptoms in their arms. The majority of these patients suffered from fullness (edema), numbness, paraesthesia, weakness and pain of the arm on the mastectomized side. Lymphedema of varying degrees found in 50% of these patients was associated with brachial plexus entrapment and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). 28% of the patients has CTS, and 28% suffered from brachial plexus entrapment of the arm on the mastectomized side, as compared with 8% and 5%, respectively, on the nonoperated side. 12% of the patients suffered from both types of entrapment. Thus we consider that brachial plexus entrapment and carpal tunnel syndrome should be added to the list of complications following mastectomy, with lymphedema playing an active part in their development.

• Research Organization: Tel-Aviv Univ., Israel
• OSTI ID: 5584853
• Journal Information: Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States), Journal Name: Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States) Vol. 44:6; ISSN CANCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550603* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
DISEASES
EDEMA
GLANDS
INJURIES
MAMMARY GLANDS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NERVES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SURGERY
SYMPTOMS
THERAPY