Integrated Treatment of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema: A Descriptive Review of the State of the Art

Background/Aim: Upper limb breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic and severe condition affecting significant percentage of cancer survivors. Even though its physiopathology well-known, there no worldwide consensus on BCRL evaluation gold-standard treatment. This narrative review aims at providing brief descriptive overview with regard to treatment modalities. Materials Methods: We conducted literature search within the PubMed database, 33 articles out 56 were selected, including reviews, systematic meta-analyses aiming find most updated evidence regarding Results: Physical exercise (aerobic exercise, resistance aquatic therapy), bandages, intermittent pneumatic compression shown be effective in patients, terms swelling reduction acute-intensive phase. Furthermore, physical was beneficial also as maintenance tool. Manual lymphatic drainage demonstrated efficacy preventing secondary if applied immediately after surgery or early phases Complementary procedures such acupuncture, reflexology, yoga photo-biomodulation therapy did not show conclusive results Surgery managing symptoms (liposuction), (lymphaticovenular anastomosis) treating (vascularized lymph node transfer). Conclusion: still challenging either for survivors clinicians, deeply impacting patient functioning quality life. Due lack globally accepted criteria evaluating BCRL, date gold standard this widespread issue needed.