ARTICLE

Balancing Risk: Exercise Versus Deconditioning for Breast Survivors Kathryn H. Schmitz University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States

SCHMITZ, K.H. Balancing lymphedema risk: exercise versus deconditioning for survivors. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 17Y24, 2010. Lymphedema, a common and feared negative effect of breast cancer treatment, is generally described by arm swelling and dysfunction. Risk averse clinical recommendations guided survivors to avoid the use of the affected arm. This may lead to deconditioning and, ironically, the very outcome women seek to avoid. Recently published studies run counter to these guidelines. Key Words: arm swelling, late effects, survivorship, rehabilitation, quality of life, weight lifting

INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW vors with and at risk for lymphedema. This hypothesis runs 180 degrees counter to current guidance on the Web sites of There are more than 11 million cancer survivors alive in the American Cancer Society (which includes advice to ‘‘use the United States today (8). The largest single diagnosis of your unaffected arm or both arms as much as possible to carry these survivors is breast cancer, which accounts for more heavy packages, groceries, handbags, or children’’) and the than 2.4 million women or 22% of the total population of Susan Komen Foundation (which includes advice to ‘‘avoid survivors (8). In addition, there are approximately 189,000 lifting or carrying heavy bags, purses, or other objects with new breast cancer diagnoses every year, and 89% of these the at-risk arm’’). It is hoped that this review will contribute women are expected to live five or more years (3). The to changes in the guidance given to survivors and conse- improvements in treatment success have created a new set of quently to assist women with avoiding the unnecessary and in- priorities focused on the issues faced by long-term breast evitable muscle atrophy and reduced function that develops cancer survivors. One common and feared negative side with restricting use of the arm. effect of breast cancer treatment is lymphedema. This article provides exercise physiologists and clinicians with an under- Defining Lymphedema, Lymph System Physiology standing of lymphedema after breast cancer, including a review of lymphatic anatomy and physiology, as well as Lymphedema is defined as a protein-rich accumulation of current risk reduction and treatment guidelines, leading to a excess fluid in any body part that has experienced damage to review of the potential risks and benefits of upper body the lymphatics (22). After breast cancer, it is generally exercise. The research on exercise and lymphedema in breast characterized by swelling of the hand, arm, breast, or torso on cancer survivors is reviewed, and next steps for research in the affected side and is associated with significant physical, this area are suggested. The central integrative hypothesis, functional, psychosocial, and economic burden for those who based on the evidence presented, is that slowly progressive develop this chronic, progressive, and incurable condition strength training, is as safe, if not safer, than avoiding use (6,15). Physical morbidities associated with lymphedema of the arm affected by breast cancer treatments for survi- include skin changes (29), loss of sensation and limb func- tion, and of varying intensity and frequency (22). Sig- nificant psychosocial morbidity also has been described in association with lymphedema (15,16). Breast cancer survi- Address for correspondence: Kathryn H. Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., FACSM, Uni- versity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and vors may find lymphedema more distressing than mastectomy Biostatistics, Abramson Cancer Center, 423 Guardian Drive, 903 Blockley Hall, as it is less possible to hide the physical manifestation and Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021 (E-mail: [email protected]). loss of arm function that negatively affect many aspects of Accepted for publication: June 17, 2009. Associate Editor: Barbara Sternfeld, Ph.D., FACSM daily life (29). The functions of the lymph system include transport of 0091-6331/3801/17Y24 proteins (e.g., bacteria, viruses, cancer cells) and to remove Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews Copyright * 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine excess fat, water, and cellular debris and foreign material

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Copyright @ 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. from the tissues of the body (34). Lymph fluid enters initial infection. When nodes are damaged or removed, this im- lymph collectors that are found in proximity to the arterio- mune response system is interrupted, as is the ability to venous anastamoses that serve all systemic tissues. Figure 1 remove excess fluids and large particles from the tissue shows an overview of the lymphatic system around the supported by the particular lymph node removed. If only one breasts. The type of fluid and molecules that enter the initial node is removed, this means a very small area is impacted. lymph collectors differs from what is collected by veins, in The more lymph nodes removed/damaged, the harder it is part because the openings into the lymph system are larger for the system to deal with an infection, injury, or inflam- than the openings into the veins. Therefore, larger molecules matory response. This explains, in part, why the number of (e.g., fat, some proteins, cellular debris, some bacteria and nodes removed in curative surgery is associated with risk for viruses) can only be removed from the tissues through the lymphedema, as discussed below. lymph system. From the initial collectors, lymph fluid moves through lymph vessels that have one-way valves (much like the valves that ensure return of venous blood from the Curative Treatments and Breast periphery to the heart), eventually reaching lymph nodes. CancerYRelated Lymphedema Lymph nodes serve as traps for foreign particles and toxins, to The goal of curative breast cancer treatment is to remove keep harmful materials from entering the blood. In addition, all cancer cells from the body and, if indicated, to treat white blood cells in the lymph nodes form antigens to systemically in a manner that will reduce the chance of bacteria delivered to the node. Lymph fluid leaves the nodes recurrence in a clinically meaningful manner. These treat- through efferent vessels to be delivered eventually to the two ments generally include surgery, radiotherapy, and various largest lymph vessels: the right lymphatic duct or the drug therapies. The two types of curative therapies most thoracic lymphatic duct. From there, lymph fluid is reinte- closely linked to lymphedema risk are surgery and radio- grated into the first circulation (the cardiovascular circula- therapy. As the number of lymph nodes surgically removed tion) at the point of the right or left subclavian veins. The increases, so does the likelihood that the survivor will initial lymph collectors and vessels that serve specific areas of develop lymphedema (18). However, there are examples of systemic tissue report back to a specific lymph node or set of women who develop lymphedema with as few as two lymph nodes (34). Therefore, bacteria, proteins, and other materials nodes removed (2). A surgical procedure called sentinel lymph from a specific body part (e.g., left index finger) are delivered node biopsy (SLNB) has substantively decreased the inci- to a specific lymph node that serves that tissue. The arrival dence of lymphedema compared with the full axillary dis- of bacteria and cellular debris at a specific lymph node trig- sections because fewer nodes are removed with this newer gers immune system response to the specific tissue served by surgical approach. That said, the hypothesis that SLNB com- that lymph node, preventing the development of systemic pletely eliminates lymphedema risk has not been supported.

Figure 1. Anatomy of the lymph system of the breast. Originally published in the 20th U.S. edition of Gray’s Anatomy of the Human Body, 1918.

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Copyright @ 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. One study found 17% of women with SLNB alone (no follow- ument used for grading of common toxicities that are eval- up axillary dissections) developed grade 1 or higher lymph- uated among patients participating in clinical trials (available edema (11). In addition to lymph node removal and trauma online at ctep.cancer.gov/protocolDevelopment/electronic_ to the lymph system resultant to surgery, there is evidence that applications/docs/ctcv20_4-30-992.pdf). risk of lymphedema may be increased by as much as 48% Another key issue in diagnosis of lymphedema is that among women who undergo radiotherapy compared with transient swelling as a result of surgery or radiotherapy that those who do not receive radiotherapy (18). resolves is not the same as lymphedema but may be mis- diagnosed as such. There is no generally accepted time line for Epidemiology of Breast CancerYRelated delineating acute swelling versus chronic lymphedema, but Lymphedema: Prevalence and Risk Factors development and/or persistence of symptoms and swelling Prevalence of lymphedema after breast cancer ranges from three months after treatment is commonly used by clinicians. 6% to 67% in the literature (11), but it is generally stated Finally, survivors report frustration with getting health pro- that the incidence is likely between 20% and 30% (13,28). fessionals to refer them to someone with appropriate training The wide range of prevalence results from variability in the and expertise to diagnose lymphedema (15). It is a commonly threshold for diagnosing lymphedema and the length of reported patient experience that surgeons downplay as ‘‘nor- follow-up. If we estimate 30% of breast cancer survivors that mal’’ a level of arm swelling and symptoms that could benefit have clinically diagnosed lymphedema, that would mean from lymphedema treatment (15). This can be quite frustrat- 720,000 current diagnoses, with 40,000 added each year. ing, given that earlier diagnosis may improve long-term prog- Commonly reported risk factors for breast cancerYrelated nosis and delay progression of this incurable chronic condition lymphedema include the number of lymph nodes removed/ (33). Although lymphedema generally would not cause death, damaged or irradiated as part of curative therapies, as pre- minimizing or trivializing the issue is frustrating to survivors, viously noted (18). In addition, women who are obese at the who live with the condition day-to-day, including multiple time of breast cancer diagnosis or who gain weight after physical and psychosocial morbidities and the time-consuming diagnosis generally have a higher risk of lymphedema (21). and expensive activities required for management and pre- Generally, activities that result in injury, infection, or trauma venting progression. to the affected limb are considered risk factors (e.g., insect The majority of breast cancer lymphedema is mild (26). bites, cuts, sunburn, or muscle overuse) (25). This is because For these women, management of the limb to keep swelling the lymph system is part of the body’s response to handling and symptoms minimized is vital to preventing progression to such tissue challenges. After having been damaged due to swelling that changes the ability to wear one’s clothing and curative breast cancer treatments, the lymphatics may be use the arm in activities of daily living (6). overwhelmed by the natural inflammatory processes used by the body in healing. Lymphedema Treatment and Risk Reduction Guidelines Lymphedema Diagnosis and Common The most widely accepted treatment approach for lymphe- Clinical Progression dema includes multiple elements and is collectively called Lymphedema has traditionally been diagnosed by com- complete decongestive therapy. This comprehensive approach parison of limb size (4). The diagnostic threshold has varied includes manual lymphatic drainage, compression of the in the literature, including 5% interlimb volume differences swollen limb, exercise, skin care, and patient education in to 10-cm interlimb circumference differences (4). These ap- self-care (23). Complete decongestive therapy occurs in two proaches have been criticized for exclusion of real cases of phases. The first phase is intensive and therapist delivered, lymphedema that are isolated to a specific area of the limb. with a goal of reducing swelling and symptoms. This phase Even when the specific diagnostic threshold for interlimb can last from one to 4 wk and may involve as few as two or swelling differences is not reached, there may be real and as many as 20 therapist-delivered treatment sessions. After meaningful changes in tissue tone and/or texture that result in reaching a plateau of improvement, phase two (e.g., self-care functional impairments, such as changes in the hands that and risk reduction) begins. Depending on the severity of the may make writing difficult (7). A newer set of standard di- condition, phase two may include wearing a custom-fitted agnostic criteria addresses this problem by including changes compression garment during the day, special short stretch in tissue tone/texture. These criteria, described in detail in compression bandaging at night, exercises, specific skin care Table 1, are included in the National Cancer Institute’s doc- guidelines, and after risk reduction practices.

TABLE 1. Common toxicity criteria grading of lymphedema (see (7)).

Grade Description

15%Y10% interlimb discrepancy in volume or circumference at point of greatest visible difference; swelling or obscuration of anatomical architecture on close inspection; pitting edema 2 910%Y30% interlimb discrepancy in volume or circumference at point of greatest visible difference; readily apparent obscuration of anatomical architecture; obliteration of skin folds; readily apparent deviation from normal anatomical contour 3 930% interlimb discrepancy in volume; lymphorrhea; gross deviation from normal anatomical architecture; interfering with activities of daily living 4 Progression to malignancy (e.g., lymphangiosarcoma); amputation indicated; disabling

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Copyright @ 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Other less common lymphedema treatment approaches adequate rest intervals to allow the adaptations to take place, include use of a pneumatic pump to mechanically simulate results in training of the exercised arms such that the max- manual lymphatic drainage, liposuction, debulking surgery, imal and/or sustainable submaximal amount of work capacity and pharmacological therapy (30). These approaches may of the arms is increased (19). In addition, after exercise be used in concert with elements of complete decongestive training, common daily activities that require lifting will therapy to customize treatment to individual patient needs. require a lower percentage of maximal effort. As a result, Lymphedema is a chronic condition that requires nearly they will be less likely to result in the injuries or inflam- constant vigilance to avoid allowing the condition to pro- matory responses. Unfortunately, little is known about gress, which can cause impaired physical functional ability whether the lymphatic system also adapts in response to with the upper body. Most survivors with lymphedema are exercise training (35). For those with lymph system damage, prescribed a custom-fitted compression sleeve and glove to this research is vitally important to understanding whether wear during the day. These garments are similar to the com- exercise training results in the development of collateral pression support hose used to control swelling from periph- lymph vessels, as has been observed with the arterial system. eral arterial in the lower legs. They must be replaced It is well established that capillary density increases within at least every 6 months, washed according to special instruc- the specific muscle beds that are exercise trained. We do not tions, and may cost more than $300. Insurance does not currently know if the same happens with the lymph vessels, always cover the cost of these garments, which have been in part because methods for examining lymph vessels have shown to be effective in reducing swelling and preventing not been available (35). Important recent work in this area progression of lymphedema (25). includes lymphoscintigraphy studies in healthy controls and The risk reduction practices recommended by the Na- breast cancer survivors with and without lymphedema tional Lymphedema Network (NLN) include skin care (10,17). These studies do not support the hypothesis that (avoiding trauma or injury to reduce infection risk), carefully exercise training results in increased lymph clearance as progressive physical activity with monitoring for symptoms, measured by lymphoscintigraphy. However, irrespective of avoiding limb constriction (e.g., elastic watch bands that what happens with lymph vessels, the positive impact of leave a mark which might occlude flow of lymph), wearing a exercise on our muscular and cardiovascular system seems compression garment if prescribed, and avoiding extremes of likely to support improved clearance of lymph from an temperature (e.g., avoiding exercise in hot, humid weather) impaired lymph transport system, including the effect of the (25). One of the guidelines is to wear gloves while doing muscle pump on venous (and likely lymphatic) clearance. activities that may cause skin irritation or injury (e.g., wash- Cardiac exercise rehabilitation provides an analogy for the ing dishes, gardening, working with tools). It is possible that potential for exercise to be useful to women concerned about women avoid doing some activities with their arms and lymphedema, including those with and at risk for the con- hands rather than wear gloves, further contributing to lower dition. After a myocardial infarction, it is generally accepted activity levels and muscular deconditioning. that it is useful to gradually, slowly increase the physiological Exercise guidance from the NLN has been generally risk capacity of the damaged body system (the heart) by slowly averse (24). In the absence of evidence, clinicians opted for progressive cardiorespiratory exercise training (1). This train- conservative recommendations, in the effort to protect breast ing is heavily supervised among those who are most impaired cancer survivors from harm. In the past, the guidelines after an myocardial infarction, and as the capacity to do work included recommendations to avoid use of the affected arm, improves, the level of supervision declines, until gradually, including limiting lifting to less than 5Y15 lb. To place this the individual is able to exercise unsupervised. Through in context, a gallon of milk weighs approximately 8 lb. cardiac exercise rehabilitation, patients increase the maxi- Women may interpret these recommendations, like the risk mal capacity of the cardiorespiratory system to do work, thus reduction guidelines discussed above, in a manner that leads decreasing the proportion of maximum capacity required to to deconditioning of the affected arm. In turn, this means complete common tasks such as climbing stairs. This exercise that average daily activities would require near maximal training response results in reduced risk of a second cardiac work of the affected arm, potentially leading to injury and an event during exercise, as well as improved function and inflammatory response that may overwhelm the damaged quality of life (1). The analogous hypothesis for exercise and lymphatics, the very outcome women sought to avoid. lymphedema is that by slowly, progressively increasing the physiological stress placed on the affected arm, the body Role of Exercise Training will increase maximal work capacity in the affected limb. Exercise training could be defined as controlled physio- Common daily activities such as carrying groceries or lifting logical stress to the body for the purpose of increasing the children would then require a lower percentage of maximal capacity of the exercised body system to respond to future capacity. If the analogy holds, this should translate into stresses. The concepts of exercise training effects and spe- reduced risk for lymphedema onset or worsening due to using cificity of those effects are well described in the exercise sci- the affected arm in day-to-day activities, as well as improved ence literature. When we challenge our arms in a bout of function and increased quality of life. physical activity to do more work than they are used to doing, the result is adaptation of the specific muscle, cir- What is the Empirical Evidence Regarding Exercise culatory system, and connective tissues used (19). Frequent, and Lymphedema? repeated bouts of exercise, with appropriate progression of Against the backdrop of risk averse guidelines to avoid using the total work (intensity and/or duration), coupled with the affected arm after lymph node removal as part of treatment,

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Copyright @ 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. multiple research studies have examined the effects of exercise was caused by the exercise. The authors note that it also training on the limbs of breast cancer survivors with and at risk could have been an early signal of the cancer recurrence. for lymphedema. More history of the development of the risk The results of the McKenzie and Kalda (20) and Ahmed averse guidelines and a systematic review of the literature et al. (2) studies, taken together, were pivotal in the 2008 through 2007 are available elsewhere (5). The hypotheses of revisions of the NLN guidance regarding exercise for cancer these studies are all versions of the one stated at the beginning survivors with and at risk for lymphedema to acknowledge of this article, with a central theme that slowly progressive that upper body resistive training may be performed, as long training may actually be more protective than the inevitable as the resistance starts low and progresses slowly and muscle atrophy that results from avoiding use of the affected according to symptom response (24). The most recently arm. In this section, we review four key randomized controlled completed study, the Physical Activity and Lymphedema trials that focused on exercise and lymphedema in breast (PAL) trial (31), also observed that twice weekly strength cancer survivors. Table 2 provides a summary of these studies. training reduced, by half, the incidence of lymphedema For the purpose of this review, lymphedema and quality-of-life exacerbations that required physical therapy treatment. The outcomes from each study are summarized. Below is a brief number and severity of lymphedema symptoms also were summary of features of all four of these studies. reduced among the PAL trial participants with lymphedema who did twice weekly progressive strength training, when Participant description compared with the control group participants with lymphe- The sample sizes ranged from 14 (20) to 295 (32) breast dema who did not do strength training (31). cancer survivors. Two of the studies included only women Quality-of-life results are available from two of these trials with lymphedema (12,20). The other two (2,32) included (20,27). Both trials observed improvements in quality of life women with and at risk for lymphedema. The range of time measures, although these improvements were only significant since diagnosis was approximately 6 months to 15 yr. in one study (27). Within the Weight Training for Breast Cancer Survivors study, participants anecdotally reported Interventions and adherence improvements in self-perception of elements of body image and relationships, including strength and health, appearance Survivors were randomly assigned to a progressive program and sexuality, and social functioning (27). This led to the of weight lifting or a no-exercise control group in all four development of a new instrument called the Body Image and studies. Two of the studies included an aerobic exercise com- Relationship survey (14), which assesses these issues specif- ponent, as well. All four studies started with supervised train- ically within breast cancer survivors and was administered in ing for at least 8 wk, to ensure all participants learned to do the the PAL trial. Results on this secondary outcome from the prescribed exercises safely. The frequency of sessions ranged PAL trial are forthcoming. from 2 to 5 times per wk, and sessions lasted up to 90 min. All interventions included a cardiopulmonary warm-up and cool- Summary of Highlighted Studies down, and stretching. In two of the studies, weight training Contrary to clinical guidelines that have guided women to was limited to the upper body; in the other two studies, exer- avoid use of the arm treated for breast cancer, the studies above cises for the lower body were included, as well. When reported, indicate that upper body exercise is safe for survivors with and exercise adherence was greater than 70%. at risk for lymphedema. There is some evidence that quality of life is improved by weight training in breast cancer survivors. Measurements and methods of ensuring safety Each of the trials excluded women with severe or unstable Measurements used in each study are described in Table 2 lymphedema. Hayes et al. (12) report that supervision was but the table includes arm circumferences and/or water key to allaying participants’ fears that they were potentially volume measurements in all studies. Intervention elements harming themselves by exercising. Measurements were fre- intended to promote safety included supervision of exercise quent to ensure that any changes due to exercise were caught sessions, requirements to wear compression sleeves during quickly and addressed. It would be inappropriate to interpret exercise in two of the four studies, and evaluation by a the results of these trials as indicating that all breast cancer certified lymphedema therapist if participants experienced a survivors could begin progressive weight training without change of symptoms that lasted a week or longer. any supervision or instruction. All of the reviewed studies in- cluded at least 8 wk of supervised sessions to ensure that ex- ercises were performed with proper biomechanics, that the RESULTS progression of resistance was slow and appropriate. In the PAL trial, changes in symptoms resulted in altered intervention The results indicate that, with rare exception, there were activities until the symptoms were resolved. no increases in arm swelling or worsened symptoms in any of In addition to the four reviewed trials, Courneya et al.(9) the four studies. There was one woman in the treatment completed a large (N =242)randomizedcontrolledexercise group of the Hayes et al. study (12) who experienced an trial that included a weight-training arm. This trial was con- increase in volumes and a substantive ‘‘flare-up’’ of lymph- ducted during chemotherapy, during the time frame before edema symptoms. Her adherence to the intervention was when it is possible to delineate between the short-term effects approximately 50%. Within 6 months after the study ended, of treatment on arm swelling versus chronic lymphedema. For she was diagnosed with a recurrence of her breast cancer. It is this reason, it is not directly comparable to the four studies not possible to discern whether the worsening of symptoms reviewed above, each of which took place months after

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Copyright @ 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. 0.97) Y arm volumes, nonsignificant improvement in several quality of life subscales lymphedema outcomes except for one poorly adherent participant. circumferences, nonsignificant improvement in symptoms among women with lymphedema, significant improvement in several quality of life subscales with lymphedema indicate no adverse effects on arm swelling, relative risk 0.47 (95% confidence interval = 0.23 for lymphedema exacerbations requiring physical therapy treatments, and significant reductions of symptom severity. Results for 154 women at risk for lymphedema not yet published. Quality of life results not yet published. No adverse effects on No adverse effects on No adverse effects on Results on 141 women measurements every 2 wk, all women required to wear a compression garment daily and during exercise interim measurements, women given the choice to wear a compression garment or not women given the choice to wear a compression garment or not women with lymphedema given custom-fitted compression garments at baseline and 6 months, required to wear them during training. Treatment group participants measured monthly by trainers, all participants measured baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months Supervision of exercise, Supervision of exercise, Supervision of exercise, Supervision of exercise, water volume, quality of life impedance spectroscopy (BIS), perometry (circumferences) symptom survey, quality of life arm volume, BIS, symptom survey, clinical assessment by a certified lymphedema therapist, quality of life Circumferences, Bioelectrical Circumferences, Circumferences, 12 Y 26 52 4, 1 of 13, Y 13, Y Y Y Y Level of Supervision Measures Ensuring Safety Results supervised sessions supervised weeks 1 4/week sessions during weeks 9 weeks 1 continued behavioral support weeks 14 weeks 1 continued behavioral support weeks 14 All sessions 2 of the 3/week Sessions supervised Sessions supervised reported attended at least 70% of sessions participant attended at least 80% of sessions among women with lymphedema; 79% attendance among women at risk for lymphedema Intervention Length; Participant Adherence 8 wk; adherence not 12 wk; 88% of women 26 wk; all but one 52 wk; 88% attendance 4to 12 90 min 90 min Y Y Y Y Summary of reviewed randomized controlled trials. and Duration 30 min. per session Y Session Frequency TABLE 2. duration not indicated during weeks 1 4/week 45+/session during weeks 9 per session 20 per session Three times weekly, Progressed from 3/week, Twice weekly, 60 Twice weekly, 60 8 12 aerobics 8 aerobics, 4 aerobics Y Y Y Y 2 aerobics only; Y Description Intervention resistance training, warm-up, cool-down, and stretching all 8 wk, arm ergometry weeks 3 and machine-based resistance training lower body resistance training, warm-up, cool-down, and stretching all 26 weeks; no upper limit placed on weight lifted as long aswere there no symptom changes. water-based resistance training, free weights; weeks 9 lower body resistance training, ‘‘core’’ training, warm-up, cool-down, and stretching all 52 wk; no upper limit placed on weight lifted as long as there weresymptom no changes. and water-based resistance training; weeks 5 weeks 3 Progressive upper body Progressive upper and Progressive upper and Weeks 1 = 32, N =77 = 71, =14 = 14, 36 Y N N N N = 46, N 5 yr since breast Y and Sample Size 15 yr since breast Y 6+ months since breast cancer diagnosis, all had clinically diagnosed lymphedema; 7 per group lymphedema 4 months after end of adjuvant breast cancer treatment; 23 per group; with lymphedema, 7 per group cancer diagnosis who were at risk for lymphedema ( each in treatment and control groups); 141 1 cancer diagnosis who had clinically diagnosed lymphedema ( 70 in treatment, control groups) 154 1 diagnosed lymphedema, 6+ months since breast cancer diagnosis; 16 per group Participant Description All participants Survivors with and without 295 breast cancer survivors; Survivors with clinically . . et al. et al et al Kalda 2003 (20) 2006 (2) 2009 (31,32) 2009 (12) McKenzie and Study Ahmed Schmitz Hayes

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Copyright @ 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. treatment ended, when the issue of transient swelling due to CONCLUSIONS/SUMMARY treatment was no longer an issue. That said, it bears noting that no significant arm swelling was observed in a randomized The results of completed studies support the safety of trial of aerobic exercise or progressive weight lifting versus a upper-body exercise among breast cancer survivors with and no-exercise control group during chemotherapy for breast at risk for lymphedema. There is ample evidence that disuse cancer (9). leads to atrophy and decreased maximal and functional Taken together, this evidence supports the safety of weight capacity of any musculoskeletal tissue. Such decreased training in this population. A weight-training program for capacity might be hypothesized to place the arms of breast breast cancer survivors with or at risk for lymphedema should cancer survivors concerned with lymphedema at greater risk be started in a controlled, supervised setting, somewhat anal- than a supervised program of slowly progressive exercise ogous to the approach of initially intensive and then grad- training. The physiological and structural response of the ually fading supervision of cardiopulmonary rehabilitative lymphatics to this type of training has yet to be completely exercise after a myocardial infarction. described. The specifics of all types of upper-body exercise are not yet tested, but several general premises of progressive Next Steps for Research? exercise training seem to hold with this population. Training should start supervised at a low dose and increase according What is going on in that arm? Understanding lymphatic to symptom response and is likely to increase maximal and structure and function functional capacity of the affected arm. Future research We currently do not understand the plasticity of the lym- should include assessment of efficacy and safety of additional phatic system. Physiological studies on lymph system struc- modes of exercise popular with breast cancer survivors (e.g., tural and functional changes in response to a single bout of yoga, Pilates) as well as assessment of the timing to start ex- exercise and to exercise training are needed to understand ercise after surgery. better the results of the studies previously reviewed. The challenge in this work is establishment of a valid, reliable noninvasive method of assessing lymphatic structure and Acknowledgments function in vivo. Lymphoscintigraphy may be a useful method The author was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health for this purpose if it can be shown to be repeatable within and the Susan Komen Foundation for work reported herein. person on multiple trials and after standardization of mea- surement protocols. In addition, animal models remain use- References ful, as they did for research on the effects of exercise on cardiovascular structure and function. 1. Ades P, Green N, Coello C. Effects of exercise and cardiac rehabilitation on cardiovascular outcomes. Cardiol. Clin. 2003; 21:435Y48. Who, what, when, where, and how? Exploring specifics of 2. Ahmed RL, Thomas W, Yee D, Schmitz K. Weight training does not training safety and efficacy increase incidence of lymphedema in breast cancer survivors. J. Clin. Oncol. 2006; 24:2765Y72. Breast cancer survivors need to know if the results of the 3. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures. Journal [Internet]. studies above apply to their specific clinical profile. The 2008 [cited, Available at: http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/ extent to which compression garments should be worn 2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf, doi. Accessed June 15, 2009. during exercise, timing after curative treatment (e.g., can 4. Armer JM, Stewart BR. A comparison of four diagnostic criteria for lymphedema in a post-breast cancer population. Lymphat. Res. Biol. women start weeks after surgery or during radiotherapy? Or 2005; 3:208Y17. should they wait until 6 months after treatment?), the 5. Cheema B, Gaul CA, Lane K, Fiatarone Singh MA. Progressive re- differential usefulness of exercise across the clinical progres- sistance training in breast cancer: a systematic review of clinical trials. sion of lymphedema (primary prevention of lymphedema Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 2008; 109:9Y26. versus control of clinical progression after diagnosis), and the 6. Cheville AL, McGarvey CL, Petrek JA, Russo SA, Taylor ME, Thiadens SR. Lymphedema management. Semin. Radiat. Oncol. 2003; 13:290Y301. types of safety monitoring that need to be in place all remain 7. Cheville AL, McGarvey CL, Petrek JA, Russo SA, Thiadens SR, Taylor to be explored. Furthermore, women do not want to be ME. The grading of lymphedema in oncology clinical trials. Semin. limited to the small number of activities that have been Radiat. Oncol. 2003; 13:214Y25. studied. Questions about the safety of yoga, Pilates, and other 8. Committee on Cancer Survivorship: Institute of Medicine and National popular physical activities remain to be explored. In Research Board. From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Trans- lation. National Academy of Sciences. Washington, DC: National addition, none of the above studies have identified the Academies Press; 2006. specific elements of the interventions that are truly required 9. Courneya KS, Segal RJ, Mackey JR, et al. 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Copyright @ 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. 13. Hinrichs CS, Watroba NL, Rezaishiraz H, et al. Lymphedema secondary to 24. National Lymphedema Network Medical Advisory Committee. Topic: postmastectomy radiation: incidence and risk factors. Ann. Surg. Oncol. Exercise for Lymphedema Patients. Journal [Internet]. 2008 [cited 2004; 11:573Y80. 2008 (September 17)]. Available at: http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/ 14. Hormes JM, Lytle LA, Gross CR, Ahmed-Saucedo RL, Troxel AB, nlnexercise.pdf, doi:http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlnexercise.pdf. Schmitz KH. The Body Image and Relationships Scale (BIRS): develop- Accessed March 2008. ment and validation of a measure of body image in female breast cancer 25. National Lymphedema Network Medical Advisory Committee. Top- survivors. J. Clin. Oncol. 2008; 26:1269Y74. ic: Lymphedema Risk Reduction Practices. Journal [Internet]. 2008 15. Johansson K, Holmstrom H, Nilsson I, Ingvar C, Albertsson M, Ekdahl [cited 2008 (September 17)]. Available at: http://www.lymphnet.org/ C. Breast cancer patients’ experiences of lymphoedema. Scand. J. Caring pdfDocs/nlnriskreduction.pdf, doi:http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/ Sci. 2003; 17:35Y42. nlnriskreduction.pdf. Accessed March 2008. 16. Kwan W, Jackson J, Weir LM, Dingee C, McGregor G, Olivotto IA. 26. Norman SA, Localio AR, Potashnik SL, et al. Lymphedema in breast Chronic arm morbidity after curative breast cancer treatment: preva- cancer survivors: incidence, degree, time course, treatment, and symptoms. lence and impact on quality of life. J. Clin. Oncol. 2002; 20:4242Y8. J. Clin. Oncol. 2009; 27:390Y7. 17. Lane KN, Dolan LB, Worsley D, McKenzie DC. Upper extremity 27. Ohira T, Schmitz KH, Ahmed RL, Yee D. Effects of weight training on lymphatic function at rest and during exercise in breast cancer survivors quality of life in recent breast cancer survivors: the Weight Training for with and without lymphedema compared with healthy controls. J. Appl. Breast Cancer Survivors (WTBS) study. Cancer. 2006; 106:2076Y83. Physiol. 2007; 103:917Y25. 28. Ozaslan C, Kuru B. Lymphedema after treatment of breast cancer. Am. 18. Lee TS, Kilbreath SL, Refshauge KM, Herbert RD, Beith JM. Prognosis J. Surg. 2004; 187:69Y72. of the upper limb following surgery and radiation for breast cancer. 29. Petrek JA, Pressman PI, Smith RA. Lymphedema: current issues in Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 2008; 110:19Y37. research and management. CA Cancer J. Clin. 2000; 50:292Y307; quiz 19. Magel JR, McArdle WD, Toner M, Delio DJ. Metabolic and cardio- 308-11. vascular adjustment to arm training. J. Appl. Physiol. 1978; 45:75Y9. 30. Rockson SG. Diagnosis and management of lymphatic vascular disease. 20. McKenzie DC, Kalda AL. Effect of upper extremity exercise on secondary J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2008; 52:799Y806. lymphedema in breast cancer patients: a pilot study. J. Clin. Oncol. 2003; 31. Schmitz K, Ahmed RL, Troxel A, et al. Weight lifting in women with 21:463Y6. breast cancer-related lymphedema. N. Engl. J. Med. 2009; 361:664Y73. 21. Meeske KA, Sullivan-Halley J, Smith AW, et al. Risk factors for arm 32. Schmitz KH, Troxel AB, Cheville A, et al. Physical activity and lymph- lymphedema following breast cancer diagnosis in black women and edema (the PAL trial): assessing the safety of progressive strength training white women. Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 2009; 113:383Y91. in breast cancer survivors. Contemp. Clin. Trials. 2009; 30:233Y45. 22. Mortimer PS. The pathophysiology of lymphedema. Cancer. 1998; 83: 33. Stout Gergich NL, Pfalzer LA, McGarvey C, Springer B, Gerber LH, 2798Y802. Soballe P. Preoperative assessment enables the early diagnosis and suc- 23. National_Lymphedema_Network_Medical_Advisory_Committee. cessful treatment of lymphedema. Cancer. 2008; 112:2809Y19. Topic: Treatment. Journal [Internet]. 2006 [cited 2008 (September 17)]. 34. Szuba A, Rockson SG. Lymphedema: anatomy, physiology and patho- Available at: http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlntreatment.pdf, genesis. Vasc. Med. 1997; 2:321Y6. doi:http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlntreatment.pdf. Accessed 35. Zawieja D. Lymphatic biology and the microcirculation: past, present August 10, 2006. and future. Microcirculation. 2005; 12:141Y50.

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