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Abstract Purpose Lower-extremity lymphedema (LEL) is a chronic and paralyzing symptom, which influences patients’ quality of life and health. The objective of this study was to develop a nomogram risk warning model for predicting lymphedema in patients with gynecologic cancer. Methods This case-control study included 300 patients in southwest China. Twelve parameters were evaluated following forward stepwise logistic regression analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to develop a nomogram. Results A total of 261 female patients were eligible for this analysis. Four predictors (operation, deep venous thrombosis, number of lymph node dissection, and lymphocyst) were revealed associated with LEL. A nomogram was developed base on these four factors. The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn according to the significant factors and the area under the curve was 0.757 (95%CI: 0.683–0.831), and the sensitivity and specificity were 71.1% and 68.1%, respectively. Conclusions Deep venous thrombosis, lymphatic cyst, the number of lymph node dissections ≥ 20, and laparoscopic surgery are independent risk factors for lower-extremity lymphedema in gynecologic cancer patients. A nomogram developed from the study using clinical information may be helpful for lymphedema screening and risk stratification, thus helping to reduce the incidence of lower-extremity lymphedema and maintain quality of life.
Yin et al. (Tue,) studied this question.