Diagnostic Significance of Fibrin Degradation Products and D-Dimer in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema
- Author:
Sang Hyeong RYU
1
;
Sang Won MIN
;
Jae Ho KIM
;
Ho Joong JEONG
;
Ghi Chan KIM
;
Dong Kyu KIM
;
Young Joo SIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Breast cancer related lymphedema; Fibrin degradation products; D-dimer; Deep vein thrombosis
- MeSH: Breast Neoplasms; Breast; Diagnosis; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Fibrin; Hematologic Tests; Humans; Lymphedema; Vascular Diseases; Venous Thrombosis
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine 2019;43(1):81-86
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To find out whether levels of fibrin degradation products (FDP) and D-dimer are increased in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) as in many vascular diseases. FDP and D-dimer have been used in blood tests to help differentiate deep vein thrombosis in the diagnosis of lymphedema. Levels of FDP and D-dimer are often elevated in patients with BCRL. METHODS: Patients with BCRL (group I), non-lymphedema after breast cancer treatment (group II), and deep venous thrombosis (group III) from January 2012 to December 2016 were enrolled. Levels of FDP and D-dimer were measured in all groups and compared among groups. RESULTS: Mean values of FDP and D-dimer of group I were 5.614±12.387 and 1.179±2.408 μg/μL, respectively. These were significantly higher than their upper normal limits set in our institution. Levels of FDP or D-dimer were not significantly different between group I and group II. However, values of FDP and D-dimer in group III were significantly higher than those in group I. CONCLUSION: Values of FDP and D-dimer were much higher in patients with thrombotic disease than those in patients with lymphedema. Thus, FDP and D-dimer can be used to differentiate between DVT and lymphedema. However, elevated levels of FDP or D-dimer cannot indicate the occurrence of lymphedema.
