Who's at Risk?
Because lymphedema can be misdiagnosed or overlooked in mild cases, it's difficult to know exactly how many women are affected. Experts estimate that from 5% to 40% of women will experience some level of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Your risk may be higher if you:
- have a full axillary lymph node dissection (lymph nodes above, below, and underneath the pectoralis minor muscle –- known as levels I-III -- are removed)
- have radiation to the lymph node areas after lymph node surgery
- have extensive cancer in the lymph nodes
- have chemotherapy
- choose mastectomy rather than lumpectomy
- are obese
- smoke heavily
- have diabetes
- have had surgery in the armpit area before now
Having sentinel lymph node dissection instead of axillary lymph node dissection can lower the risk of lymphedema, but there is still some risk. Research shows that between 3.7% and 13% of women will experience lymphedema after sentinel lymph node dissection.