Objective To figure out the relationship between lymphedema status and symptoms among breast cancer survivors. Methods Convenient and purposive sampling methods were used to recruit 224 participants who underwent axillary lymph node dissection. Circumferential limb measurement was used to confirm the lymphedema diagnosis and make sure the lymphedema status ； Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index （ BCLESEI ） was used to assess the symptoms experienced by breast cancer survivors. Results Among all 224 participants ，94 （ 42.0% ） of cases had no lymphedema ， while 46 （ 20.5% ） developed mild lymphedema and 84 （ 37.5% ） developed severe lymphedema. Significant differences in scores of symptom experience were found among groups （ P=0.017 ）； significant differences were found in the rate of arm swelling ， arm heaviness ， arm fatigue ， arm tightness ， arm firmness ， limited arm movement ， limited elbow movement and limited wrist movement between non鄄lymphedema group and mildlymphedema group. Conclusion Symptoms can exist in the early stage of lymphedema ， and number and severity of symptoms ， distress of symptoms will increase as the lymphedema aggravates ； symptom assessment may contribute to the early detection of lymphedema and guide the intervention.
