Influence of and Risk Factors for Axillary Web Syndrome Following Surgery for Breast Cancer

Abstract

In this study, we examined whether axillary web syndrome (AWS) in patients with breast cancer following axillary lymph node dissection affects range of motion (ROM), upper extremity function, and quality of life (QOL). The risk factors for AWS were also evaluated in a total of 238 consecutive breast cancer patients following axillary lymph node dissection. At 1, 2, and 3 months after surgery, there were no significant differences between the AWS group and the non-AWS group in upper-limb function or QOL. At 2 months after surgery, shoulder flexion and abduction ROM were significantly higher in the AWS group than in the non-AWS group (p < 0.05). Self-training time at home was not significantly different between the groups at 1, 2, or 3 months. Only age was a significant predictor of AWS at 1 month after surgery (p < 0.05). The AWS group in the present study did not have worse results for shoulder joint ROM, upper-limb function, and QOL than the non-AWS group. Younger age should be useful for predicting the development of AWS in the early postoperative period.