Lymphedema self-assessment among endometrial cancer survivors

Lower extremity lymphedema (LEL), which causes ankle, leg, and feet swelling, poses a significant challenge for endometrial cancer survivors, impacting physical functioning and psychological well-being. Inconsistent LEL diagnostic methods result in wide-ranging LEL incidence estimates.

We calculated the cumulative incidence of LEL based on survivor-reported Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire (GCLQ) responses in addition to survivor- and nurse-reported leg circumference measurements among a pilot sample of 50 endometrial cancer survivors (27 White, 23 Black) enrolled in the ongoing population-based Carolina Endometrial Cancer Study.

Self-leg circumference measurements were perceived to be difficult and were completed by only 17 survivors. Diagnostic accuracy testing measures (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value) compared the standard nurse-measured \(\ge\) $\ge$ 10% difference in leg circumference measurements to GCLQ responses. At a mean of ~11 months post-diagnosis, 54% of survivors met established criteria for LEL based on \(\ge\) $\ge$ 4 GCLQ cutpoint while 24% had LEL based on nurse-measurement. Percent agreement, sensitivity, and specificity approximated 60% at a threshold of \(\ge\) $\ge$ 5 GCLQ symptoms. However, Cohen’s kappa, a measure of reliability that corrects for agreement by chance, was highest at \(\ge\) $\ge$ 4 GCLQ symptoms (κ = 0.27).

Our findings emphasize the need for high quality measurements of LEL that are feasible for epidemiologic study designs among endometrial cancer survivors. Future studies should use patient-reported survey measures to assess lymphedema burden and quality of life outcomes among endometrial cancer survivors.