Axillary Web Syndrome in Newly Diagnosed Individuals After Surgery for Breast Cancer: Baseline Results From the AMBER Cohort Study

Purpose: To examine potential associations between post-surgical axillary web syndrome (AWS) and demographic, medical, surgical, and health-related fitness variables in newly diagnosed individuals with breast cancer. Method: Participants were recruited between 2012 and 2019. Objective measures of health-related fitness, body composition, shoulder range of motion (ROM) and function, and AWS were performed within 3 months of breast cancer surgery. Results: AWS was identified in 243 (17.3%) participants and was associated with poorer shoulder ROM and function, and higher pain compared with women without AWS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified axillary lymph node dissection versus sentinel lymph node biopsy (OR 3.97; 95% CI: 2.62, 6.03), mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery (OR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.17, 2.19), lower versus higher total percentage body fat (OR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.34), and earlier versus later time from surgery (OR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.23) as significantly associated with a higher odds of AWS. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (OR 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.08) and university or higher education (OR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.00) were also associated with higher odds of presenting with AWS. Conclusions: Findings highlight the need for increased awareness of AWS to facilitate early detection and physiotherapy intervention in the early post-surgical period.