Lymphoedema of the arm after primary treatment of breast cancer.

The incidence of lymphoedema of the arm depends on the radical nature of the primary treatment-radical mastectomy modified radical mastectomy and breast-preserving operation. Adjuvant radiotherapy increased significantly the oedema rate of each operative modality. The quality of life could be improved by minimising the incidence of lymphoedema if current standards of breast-preserving surgery were generally practised.