How would you advise a woman who had a full axillary lymph node dissection on the risk of lymphedema with mountain climbing?

I have a patient who will be climbing to the base camp of Mount Everest. Does a climb to 15,000 feet increase her risk? Should she wear a compression sleeve during the climb?

1 Answer

Mednet MemberInvited Expert

Radiation Oncology · Mass General Physicians Organization

Answered on

Well, this is obviously a question with no evidence based answer. Overal, the risk of lymphedema after axillary LN dissection is around 20-25%. Most likely these patients will receive regional LN radiation (due to positive LN's) and the risk will increase to 25-30% (Warren et al). Other risk factors...

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