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Research summary · AI summary · not yet reviewedHuman studyObservationalPublished in a peer-reviewed journal
Increased BCRL Risk in Adults with Autoimmune Diseases, Including MS
A study of 20,027 adults with breast cancer found that having an autoimmune disease was associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), with multiple sclerosis showing a specific increased risk (HR, 1.87).
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This plain-English summary was written by AI from a published abstract and may contain errors. It is not medical advice. Read the original study and talk to your MS team before making decisions about treatment.
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Limited
- Outcome
- Positive
Why it matters
This research indicates that autoimmune diseases, like MS, may serve as independent risk factors for developing BCRL post-surgery, which could assist in risk assessment for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.
What this does not prove
The study focuses on the association between autoimmune diseases and BCRL risk without isolating multiple sclerosis specifically, limiting the conclusion about MS alone.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- 20027 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Yes
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-24
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Adults undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy and/or axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer
- Size of effect
- HR, 1.87 for multiple sclerosis
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceAssociation between autoimmune diseases and risk of developing breast cancer-related lymphedema. ↗DOI: 10.1038/s44483-026-00004-3
Supporting passages (11)
study designWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy and/or axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer at a tertiary cancer center between 2010 and 2021.
subjectsAmong 20,027 patients with a median follow-up of 61.7 months (IQR, 38.7-94.2), 1361 (6.8%) had a preexisting autoimmune disease and 1728 (8.6%) developed BCRL at a median of 17.4 months (IQR, 8.0-33.9) after surgery.
sample sizeAmong 20,027 patients with a median follow-up of 61.7 months (IQR, 38.7-94.2), 1361 (6.8%) had a preexisting autoimmune disease and 1728 (8.6%) developed BCRL at a median of 17.4 months (IQR, 8.0-33.9) after surgery.
primary endpoint metIn multivariable analysis, autoimmune disease was independently associated with increased BCRL risk (hazard ratio [HR], 1.52; 95% CI, 1.30-1.77; P < .001).
populationWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy and/or axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer at a tertiary cancer center between 2010 and 2021.
findingsElevated risks were observed for rheumatoid arthritis (HR, 1.54), autoimmune thyroiditis (HR, 1.40), Graves' disease (HR, 1.49), multiple sclerosis (HR, 1.87), systemic lupus erythematosus (HR, 2.46), and systemic sclerosis (HR, 2.10).
outcomesuggest autoimmune disease may be an independent risk factor for BCRL and may improve risk stratification.
effect sizeElevated risks were observed for rheumatoid arthritis (HR, 1.54), autoimmune thyroiditis (HR, 1.40), Graves' disease (HR, 1.49), multiple sclerosis (HR, 1.87), systemic lupus erythematosus (HR, 2.46), and systemic sclerosis (HR, 2.10).
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-24
limitationsTitle: Association between autoimmune diseases and risk of developing breast cancer-related lymphedema.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
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