Dieting Reduces Arm Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Treatment

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By David Douglas

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Nov 13 - Weight loss through calorie restriction appears to be an effective way to reduce breast cancer-associated lymphedema of the arm, according to UK researchers.

\"Management of lymphedema has centered on skin care, external support and compression, exercise and movement and simple lymphatic drainage,\" lead investigator Dr. Clare Shaw told Reuters Health. \"This is the first time that weight reduction has been shown to influence the size of a lymphedematous arm.\"

In the October 15th issue of Cancer, Dr. Shaw of the Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust, London and colleagues point out that obesity is a risk factor for lymphedema of the arm as well as for poor response to lymphedema treatment.

To investigate whether weight reduction might be of benefit in such patients, the researchers studied 21 women with breast cancer-related arm swelling. The median body mass index (BMI) was 32.

They were randomized to receive specific dietary advice aimed at reducing their energy intake by 1000 kcal per day or to simply receive an information booklet on healthy eating.

At 12 weeks, the intervention group had lost a mean of 3.3 kg, their BMI was reduced by a mean of 1.3, and excess arm volume fell from 25% to 15%. There were no changes in weight or in arm volume in the control group.

\"Weight management should become an integral part of the management of breast cancer-related lymphedema,\" concluded Dr. Shaw. \"Overweight patients should have information about the potential beneficial effects of weight reduction and appropriate support to help them achieve weight reduction.\"

Cancer 2007;110:1868-1874.