Long-Term Burden of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) remains a significant burden for breast cancer survivors. With improved survival, recognition of the long-term burden of BCRL on patients is increasingly important.

Surveillance for BCRL is recommended by expert consensus guidelines, with detection of early BCRL associated with lower rates of persistent disease; however, currently, there are no recommendations regarding frequency nor duration. Formal guidelines may reduce the long-term burden of worry for patients. Once BCRL develops, patients experience the life-long burden of managing a chronic disease, including remaining compliant with complex therapy and negative effects on quality of life. With long-term treatment also comes significant financial toxicity through direct cost of treatment and indirect costs, including loss of productivity and income.

The long-term burdens of BCRL exist in all who need surveillance and in those with BCRL as chronic disease management, worse quality of life, and financial toxicity.