الفهرس 
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Abstract
Lymphedema is a swelling that occurs when protein-rich lymph fluid
accumulates in the interstitial tissue. This lymph fluid may contain plasma
proteins, extravascular blood cells, excess water, and parenchymal products .
Patients who undergo axillary surgery and axillary RT for breast
cancer are at particular risk for the development of lymphedema as well as
other arm morbidities .
Prevention primarily focuses on restricting the use of axillary
radiotherapy following axillary dissection and specific surgical techniques to
minimize damage to axillary lymphatics (eg, limiting the extent of ALND)
as the use of the sentinel lymph node biopsy technique .
The aim of the present work was to evaluate the incidence of arm
lymphedema among the examined breast cancer patients who had modified
radical mastectomy versus patients who had breast-conserving surgery.
This study included 40 patients of women treated for stage I and
stage II breast cancer, curatively intended surgery, followed by radiotherapy
to the regional lymph node and the chest wall. Patients were divided into
two groups according to the type of surgery:
Group (A): includes patients who had modified radical
mastectomy.
Group (B): includes patients who had breast-conserving surgery.
Conclusions:
The incidence of breast cancer related lymphedema is about 25% after
modified radical mastectomy and about 10% after breast
conserving surgery.