BP measurement in cancer patients

Foxbat

Foxbat

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Once I transported a patient injured in a car accident. When I was going to take her blood pressure, she told me she had history of breast cancer and her doctor told her that BP should be taken on her thighs rather than arms.
When later I asked medic what was the reason behind it he told me it probably has to do with compression of lymph nodes which could cause metastasising but he was not sure. I've never been taught it and I couldn't find any info on the Internet.
So, what is the physiology behind it? Are there illnesses for which I should assume BP should not be measured on arms even if the pt. does not specifically says so?
 
Took me a while to dig up...

I posed a similar question (4 or 5 posts down) in

http://www.emtlife.com/showthread.php?t=7432

& To quote Ridryder...
Removal of lymph nodes may affect the drainage of lymphatic fluid from the arm on the surgical side. Problems with lymphatic drainage may result in arm swelling and an increased risk for infection from trauma to the arm. In addition, there is an increased risk for blood clots in the blood veins of the armpit because of surgical trauma in the area....
Click to expand...
 
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It should also be noted that this information will pertain to men who have had mastectomies for breast CA. If for gynecomastia, there should not be that much lymph node involvement but the patient should have been made aware of that in his discharge care plan.
 
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