Evaluation of skin barrier functions in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: Measurement of stratum corneum hydration, sebum level, and transepidermal water loss

Background and Design: Skin barrier function in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) has rarely been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), and sebum level (SL) on the skin of the lymphedema arm in comparison to the skin of the healthy contralateral arm in BCRL patients.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 40 female patients with unilateral BCRL. TEWL, SCH, and SL were measured using Tewameter & REG;, Corneometer & REG;, and Sebumeter & REG;, respectively. Measurements were taken in each patient's lymphedema arms and healthy contralateral arm. The volar/dorsal regions of the forearm and the dorsal region of the upper arm were determined as measurement sites.Results: In all three measurement areas, there was no significant difference in SCH or SL between the skin of the lymphedema arm and the skin of the healthy contralateral arm. TEWL was significantly higher on the skin of the lymphedema arm than on the healthy arm for the volar forearm regions (p=0.007). However, there was no significant difference in TEWL between the skin of the lymphedema arm and the skin of the healthy contralateral arm in the dorsal forearm or dorsal upper arm region.Conclusion: This study showed that there was no difference in skin barrier functions in the lymphedema arm compared with the healthy contralateral arm, except for higher TEWL in the skin of the volar forearm region of the lymphedema arm in BCRL patients. The detection of changes in skin barrier function in BCRL patients may help in the regulation of optimal skin care of these patients' lymphedema arms.