Findings on the specific risk factors for the development of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) are variable. Axillary lymph node dissection, higher body mass index, more lymph nodes removed, field of radiation, postoperative seroma, infection, and early edema are linked to the development of BCRL. However, it is unclear why, in the presence of similar phenotypic risk factors, some women develop lymphedema after breast cancer treatment, and others do not.
This presentation will provide a brief overview of the preliminary findings from our research group and others, which suggest that variations in lymphatic, angiogenic, pro-inflammatory cytokine, and potassium channel genes are associated with increased risk for the development of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. These associations do not, however, explain all of the variability in the occurrence of BCRL. Additional research is needed to identify other biological pathways that contribute to the development and progression of BCRL.
Because the etiology of BCRL is multifactorial, information on genetic variations in biological pathways involved in the lymphatic system that are associated with development of BCRL can lead to the identification of high-risk patients.