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Published Online: 13 June 2019

Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema and Genetic Predisposition: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Publication: Lymphatic Research and Biology
Volume 17, Issue Number 3

Abstract

Background: Secondary lymphedema is a complication following breast cancer therapy and constitutes the main form of lymphedema in the western world. The purpose of the current study was to provide a clear overview of the genetic predisposition and secondary lymphedema.
Methods and Results: A systematic search was performed between February and June 2017 in MEDLINE and Embase. Search terms included Genes, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Lymphedema, Breast Cancer Lymphedema, Secondary Lymphedema, Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema, and Humans. Only original articles regarding the possible relationship between genetic variation and the development of secondary lymphedema in humans were included in this review. A total of 459 records were collected. After removal of duplicates, non-topic-related publications, and records not presenting original data, six full-text studies were included. Associations between genetic factors and the development of secondary lymphedema were found for variations in HGF, MET, GJC2, IL1A, IL4, IL6, IL10, IL13, VEGF-C, NFKB2, LCP-2, NRP-2, SYK, VCAM1, FOXC2, VEGFR2, VEGFR3, and RORC.
Conclusions: In patients with secondary lymphedema following breast cancer therapy, genetic variations were found in 18 genes. These compelling, although preliminary, findings may suggest a possible role for genetic predisposition in the development of lymphedema following breast cancer therapy. This notion may add to the classical, more mechanistic explanation of secondary lymphedema.

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cover image Lymphatic Research and Biology
Lymphatic Research and Biology
Volume 17Issue Number 3June 2019
Pages: 288 - 293
PubMed: 30358483

History

Published online: 13 June 2019
Published in print: June 2019
Published ahead of print: 24 October 2018

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Joël Visser
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Michel van Geel
Department of Dermatology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Anouk J.M. Cornelissen
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
René R.W.J. van der Hulst
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Shan Shan Qiu [email protected]
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Notes

Address correspondence to: Shan Shan Qiu, MD, PhD, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht 6229 HX, The Netherlands [email protected]

Author Disclosure Statement

No competing financial interests exist.

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