Insights into Cancer-related Lymphedema

Progress in rehabilitation and physical therapy management of cancer-related lymphedema.

Individuals who have been treated for cancer are at risk for a complication called lymphedema, swelling in the body region where lymph nodes were removed, causing pain and limited function. New studies and insights on the management of cancer-related lymphedema are presented in the special issue of Rehabilitation Oncology, official journal of the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.

The special issue highlights progress in rehabilitation and physical therapy management of cancer-related lymphedema--including a new study identifying characteristics of patients who need extra support in practicing essential self-care. Other articles point toward ongoing advances in lymphedema care, including new imaging techniques, and technologies to help patients monitor and control their condition, according to an introduction by Guest Editor Nicole L. Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA.

Lymphedema - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Lymphedema is commonly caused by the removal of or damage to the lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment. The swelling occurs in one of the arms or legs.

‘Lymphedema is a complication of cancer treatment that occurs due to fluid build-up in soft tissue and results in swelling in places where lymph nodes have been removed.’

New Research Builds on Past Progress in Lymphedema Management

Lymphedema is a complication of cancer treatment that occurs due to fluid buildup in soft tissue, resulting from damage to the lymphatic system. Patients with lymphedema experience painful swelling and limitation of function of the limbs or other areas.

Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is the multi-modal treatment for lymphedema carried out by a skilled therapist. However, in order to optimally manage the condition, some components of CDT need to be carried out by the patient on a daily basis. Self-care plays an important role for patients with lymphedema, and may include daily self-massage, skin care, compression therapy, and exercise. However, for some individuals with lymphedema, performing daily self-care poses a challenge.

Retinoic Acid May Help Prevent Lymphedema Development
Currently, physicians watch and wait for lymphedema, but study suggests that treatment at the time of surgery may be a more effective course.

Dr. Helene Lindquist, RPT, PhD, and Tommy Nyberg, MSc, and their research group at Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, performed a study to identify characteristics of women who needed extra support to self-manage their lymphedema. The study included data on 88 Swedish women, average age 62 years--most with arm lymphedema after breast cancer treatment.

Self-care practice

Method for Detecting Latent Stage of Lymphedema Identified
New York University study examines the validity, sensitivity, and specificity of symptoms for detecting breast cancer-related related lymphedema.

Nearly 60 percent of women in the study performed their self-care program almost every day--even though about half of the patients felt that self-care did not help much. Only about 20 percent of women who worked performed daily self-care at work.

A wide range of demographic, clinical, psychological, and physical characteristics were significantly related to self-care practice. Factors associated with lower rates of daily self-care included low scores for well-being, body image, and self-esteem; ethnicity other than Swedish; depressed or anxious mood; and poor sleep quality.

McMaster Researchers Developing Treatment For Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients
Breast cancer patients may develop swelling in the arm, called lymphedema, as a complication of treatment, which can last a long time.

"Our results emphasize the importance of focusing more on vulnerable individuals when it comes to instructions about self-care and to encourage women to perform continuous self-care," the researchers write. They believe their findings support a "stepped-care" approach to working with women with lymphedema: basic help for all women, with stepwise progressive interventions for those in need of additional support. The special issue includes a narrative by actress Kathy Bates--a breast cancer survivor with lymphedema--providing a patient's perspective on the frustrations and arduous nature of the ongoing self-care needs.

Dr. Stout notes that the special issue appears two decades after a seminal report by the American Cancer Society on lymphedema management. Since then, management of lymphedema has become "far more mainstream," with ongoing research, clinical practice guidelines, and improved access to specialist care. Other topics in the special issue include patient assessment, considerations for advanced training for physical therapy professionals in lymphedema care, and new imaging approaches.

Other papers report on sophisticated technologies like low-level laser therapy. These advances open the possibility of developing wearable sensors and cloud-based apps to provide patients with daily feedback on their condition and individualized updates for support and prevention. Dr. Stout concludes, "The future is bright, the future is smart, and we must continue to seize on opportunities to advance novel approaches to lymphedema management."

Source-Eurekalert