Prevalence of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment in overweight patients

ABSTRACT Breast cancer is the neoplasia with the highest incidence in the population worldwide, and lymphedema is one of the most frequent complications in the treatment. Body mass index increase is one of the risk factors for lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to verify the incidence of lymphedema in mastectomized women with overweight and obesity. The risk of lymphedema in women with overweight and obesity was four times greater (Odds Ratio, OR = 3.887). The higher the body mass index, the higher was the probability of lymphedema, with increase in the relative risk of 40% for obesity II.