Abstract

Breast cancer-related lymphedema affects 1 in 4 breast cancer survivors. Chronic lymphatic fluid accumulation in the affected limb is associated with skin and subcutaneous fat tissue characteristics; however, little is known in what manner skeletal muscle function and quality are altered in the affected limb. We set out to determine the differences in muscle quality and handgrip strength between a group of women with stage 2 breast cancer-related lymphedema and healthy controls. Ultrasound data was recorded from hand and wrist extensor muscles on the dorsal forearm in the affected and unaffected arms of women diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer-related lymphedema and both arms from the healthy control group. The ultrasound data were converted into images where muscle thickness (MT) and muscle echo-intensity (MEI) were measured using computer software. We discovered that MT was not affected by the breast cancer-related lymphedema condition. However, handgrip strength (HGS) and indices of muscle quality (HGS/MT and HGS/MEI) are diminished, suggesting an increased amount of non-contractile (e.g., fibrotic) tissue alterations in the affected arm.