lymphoedema treatment

Lymphoedema is caused by an imbalance between fluid production and transport by the lymphatic system. This imbalance can be either caused by reduced transport capacity of the lymphatic system or too much fluid production and leads to swelling associated with tissue changes (skin thickening, fat deposition). Its main common complication is the increased risk of developing cellulitis/erysipelas in the affected area, which can worsen the lymphatic function and can be the cause of raised morbidity of the patient if not treated correctly/urgently...

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is common among patients who have completed their cancer treatment. Although low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been explored as a treatment option for BCRL, we could not find a regimen that is more effective than others. This meta-analysis aimed to organize existing research and determine the optimal combination of LLLT parameters for BCRL treatment. Studies were collected from four online databases: Embase, Ovid Medline, Cochrane, and Cinahl. The collected studies were reviewed by two of the authors...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

This single-centre retrospective cohort study aimed to clarify the superiority of treatment by comparing the outcomes of lymphaticovenular anastomosis with compression therapy and conservative treatment centred on compression therapy in the early stage of breast cancer-related lymphoedema. Data were collected from all patients treated for breast cancer-related lymphoedema between January 2015 and December 2022. The patients were classified into conservative treatment and surgical treatment groups. The upper extremity lymphoedema index value was calculated, based on five circumference values of the upper extremity and body mass index, to compare the 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month outcomes between the groups...

Lymphoedema is a debilitating disease that results in chronic swelling of a body region due to a dysfunctional lymphatic system. Since a cure is yet to be identified for this disease, management is currently the best option for preventing disease progression and improving patient outcomes. Fluorescence lymphography is a popular approach for mapping the lymphatic vessels to provide information about the underlying lymphatic dysfunction. However, current clinical fluorescence lymphography tools do not enable the creation of comprehensive 3D maps of lymphatics throughout affected limbs...

Filarial lymphoedema is a tropical parasitic worm illness caused mostly by Wuchereria bancrofti . This disease impacts millions of individuals in endemic areas, causing significant impairment and financial discomfort. Elephantiasis is a chronic lymphatic drainage failure causing swelling in the legs and genitalia. It is a chronic condition characterized by the buildup of lymphatic water, causing pain and reduced limb activity. Genetic abnormalities, trauma, surgery, infection, or cancer cause the disease. Treatment options include antiparasitic drugs, surgical interventions, and nonsurgical interventions like compression therapy...

INTRODUCTION: One of the most frequent complications of breast cancer treatment is lymphoedema (LE), with lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy being the main triggers of this pathology in developed countries. The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of therapeutic exercise in the prevention of upper limb (UL) lymphoedema evaluated through cirtometry, volumetry, or bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) in women after breast cancer removal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Pubmed, PEDro, and Cochrane databases were consulted up to May 2020, including randomised clinical trials (RCTs) on therapeutic physical exercise as a possible preventive measure against breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL)...

AIMS: Patients with breast cancer who have positive lymph nodes are currently recommended axillary node clearance (ANC) or regional nodal irradiation (RNI). ANC is associated with complications such as lymphoedema, brachial plexopathy and shoulder stiffness. The AMAROS Group showed RNI to be non-inferior to ANC with regards to survival and recurrence, and with a better quality of life. We conducted a large real-world population study to show our centre's experience with the use of RNI and to contribute to the current discussion around the management of node-positive breast cancer...

The purpose of this report is to describe the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in 5 hemodialysis patients with hypertension, including a patient with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and a patient with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) focused on the functional changes in the heart. We switched from angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) to sacubitril/valsartan and compared blood pressure post dialysis, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels and the findings of echocardiography for a period of 6 months...

BACKGROUND: Lymphoedema is a chronic condition that is increasing in prevalence and requires specialised management to avoid possible life-threatening complications. OBJECTIVES: To describe the perceived knowledge of physiotherapists about lymphoedema and its management, the lymphoedema patient load seen by physiotherapists, and the current treatment approaches of physiotherapists in South Africa when managing lymphoedema. METHOD: A quantitative study using self-administered, online questionnaires were distributed among physiotherapists...

OBJECTIVE: Despite the high prevalence and poor outcome of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), very few studies from India have dealt with the subject. We planned a prospective study of inpatients with SSTIs to study the aetiology, clinical presentation (severity) and outcome of patients with SSTIs in our facility. METHOD: Patients with SSTIs involving >5% body surface area (BSA) and/or systemic signs were admitted to the surgery department of a teaching tertiary level hospital in Delhi, India, and were clinically classified into cellulitis, necrotising soft tissue infections (NSTIs), pyomyositis, and abscess...

AIMS: To explore the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer survivors. DESIGN: We utilized a qualitative descriptive approach to facilitate interviews among 25 participants, all of whom are survivors of breast cancer and have received treatment in Hong Kong within the preceding 3 years. METHODS: Content analysis was performed to understand how patients' HRQoL views and experiences changed during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic...

While upper limb lymphoedema following breast and axillary surgery is well established in the literature, breast lymphoedema is rarely documented. Our primary objective was to identify risk factors of breast lymphoedema, and our secondary aim was to assess the possibility of using a breast ultrasound scan to assess breast lymphoedema. This study was a case series analysis, including patients who had wide local excision for primary breast cancer treatment between January 2013 and January 2018. Patients' demographics, including age, weight, body mass index (BMI), breast volume, tumour characteristics, and histological findings, were noted...

BACKGROUND: Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) is a conservative treatment for lymphedema that combines interventions and lifestyle changes. We evaluated the application of CDT after lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) of the lower limb combined with liposuction. METHODS: A total of 55 patients who underwent LVA of the lower limb combined with liposuction from January 2021 to July 2022 were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into groups A ( n = 24) and B ( n = 31) according to whether they adhered to CDT treatment during the 12-month follow-up...

Lymphatic system defects are involved in a wide range of diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. Fluid return through the lymphatic vascular system is primarily provided by contractions of muscle cells in the walls of lymphatic vessels, which are in turn driven by electrochemical oscillations that cause rhythmic action potentials and associated surges in intracellular calcium ion concentration. There is an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms involved in these repeated events, restricting the development of pharmacological treatments for dysfunction...

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) confers a major healthcare burden from hospitalisations and AF-related complications, such as stroke and heart failure. We performed an electronic health records-wide association study to identify the most frequent reasons for healthcare utilization, pre and post new-onset AF. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with the linked electronic health records of 5.6 million patients in the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink (1998-2016)...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S): There is a growing interest for adjuvant loco-regional hypofractionated radiotherapy (Hypo-RT) regimens in patients (pts) undergoing surgery for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). We report the 5-year results of a phase II study on Hypo-RT targeting the primary and regional lymph nodes in ten fractions (fxs). MATERIALS/METHODS: A schedule of 34 Gy/10 fxs/2 wks to the whole breast/chest wall and to the draining lymph nodes was used; an optional single fraction 8 Gy boost was administered with electrons to the tumor bed in patients who had undergone conservative surgery...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Lymphoedema is thought to affect around 200 000 people in the UK (NHS England, 2023). Secondary lymphoedema is a relatively common complication of cancer and cancer treatment, and in advanced disease it may present a challenging issue for community nursing staff caring for patients approaching the end of their lives. In this article, a case study considers the assessment and treatment of upper limb lymphoedema in a patient with advanced metastatic breast cancer. Management of this complex and distressing condition requires holistic assessment and collaborative care planning with the patient and their wider care team, including onward referral to specialist lymphoedema and palliative care services...

BACKGROUND: This case series follows the reflective processes undertaken, when five slim women presented with reactive oedemas of the forearm and hand, that did not respond to usual therapy. AIM: To raise awareness about Aromatase Inhibitor (AI), Letrozole. METHODS: Possible causes, including Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors, Ribociclib and Axillary Web Syndrome, were explored and reviewed, and potential effective treatment options were then sought...