Axillary Web Syndrome

Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO
  • Axillary web syndrome:
    • Appears to be a common complication following axillary surgery
    • It consists of the appearance of a visible web of axillary skin overlying palpable cords of tissue:
      • That are made taut and painful by shoulder abduction
    • These cords can result in painful abduction of the shoulder and reduced range of motion
    • It typically results from axillary lymphadenectomies for treatment of breast cancer or melanoma
    • In general, axillary web syndrome is poorly defined and misunderstood:
      • In a large systematic review:
        • The incidence ranged from 0.6% to 85.4%
      • Extent of surgery (number of nodes removed), low body mass index, and age have been reported as possible risk factors for development of this syndrome
      • Although smoking, receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and radiation may play a role in its development:
        • These factors have not been described in the literature
      • In the majority of cases:
        • Axillary web syndrome:
          • Appears to develop within 2 to 8 weeks of axillary surgery
      • Although patients generally do well with resolution of their symptoms:
        • Current evidence for the treatment of axillary web syndrome is insufficient to provide clear guidance for clinical practice
      • Suggested interventions have included:
        • Early education
        • Physiotherapy
        • Thermal therapy
        • Medications
        • Surgery
  • References:
  • Koehler LA, Haddad TC, Hunter DW, Tuttle TM. Axillary web syndrome following breast cancer surgery: symptoms, complications and management strategies. Breast Cancer. 2018;11:13-19.
  • Yeung WM, McPhail SM, Kuys SS. A systematic review of axillary web syndrome (AWS). J Cancer Surviv. 2015;9(4):576-598
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Published by Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO

My name is Rodrigo Arrangoiz I am a breast surgeon/ thyroid surgeon / parathyroid surgeon / head and neck surgeon / surgical oncologist that works at Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology in Miami, Florida. I was trained as a surgeon at Michigan State University from (2005 to 2010) where I was a chief resident in 2010. My surgical oncology and head and neck training was performed at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia from 2010 to 2012. At the same time I underwent a masters in science (Clinical research for health professionals) at the University of Drexel. Through the International Federation of Head and Neck Societies / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center I performed a two year head and neck surgery and oncology / endocrine fellowship that ended in 2016. Mi nombre es Rodrigo Arrangoiz, soy cirujano oncólogo / cirujano de tumores de cabeza y cuello / cirujano endocrino que trabaja Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology en Miami, Florida. Fui entrenado como cirujano en Michigan State University (2005 a 2010 ) donde fui jefe de residentes en 2010. Mi formación en oncología quirúrgica y e n tumores de cabeza y cuello se realizó en el Fox Chase Cancer Center en Filadelfia de 2010 a 2012. Al mismo tiempo, me sometí a una maestría en ciencias (investigación clínica para profesionales de la salud) en la Universidad de Drexel. A través de la Federación Internacional de Sociedades de Cabeza y Cuello / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center realicé una sub especialidad en cirugía de cabeza y cuello / cirugia endocrina de dos años que terminó en 2016.

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