BACKGROUND Lymphedema is a common complication of axillary dissection for breast cancer. We investigated whether manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) could prevent or manage limb edema in women after breast-cancer surgery. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of MLD in the prevention and treatment ...

The two patients in this case series had experienced long-term difficulty controlling lymphedema at home. Both patients had used numerous home therapies, including older-generation intermittent pneumatic compression devices, without success. The Flexitouch system, an advanced pneumatic device, was prescribed to assist them with in-home efforts by providing therapy to their affected limbs in add...

1. Cheng MH, Huang JJ, Wu CW et al. The mechanism of vascularized lymph node transfer for lymphedema: natural lymphaticovenous drainage. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014; 133(2): 192e–8e. 2. Ciudad P, Maruccia M, Socas J, et al. The laparoscopic right gastroepiploic lymph node flap transfer for upper and lower limb lymphedema: technique and outcomes. Microsurgery. 2015.doi: 10.1002/micr.22450 3. Socas...

Introduction Lower-extremity lymphedema is a significant complication attributed to gynecologic cancer surgery, potentially effectuating severe edema and discernible pain. Case report We report on a patient who developed persistent, lower-extremity lymphedema following her treatment for cervix cancer. Despite repeated efforts to manage the lymphedema with conventional measures, the patient's ...

SUMMARY Obesity increases the risk of upper extremity lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer and can cause lower extremity lymphatic dysfunction in extremely obese individuals. We report the first patient with obesity-induced upper extremity lymphedema. A 62-year-old man with a previous body mass index (BMI) of 105.6, presented with a BMI 60.3 following weight loss. He complained of l...

BACKGROUND Lymphatic filariasis can be associated with development of serious pathology in the form of lymphedema, hydrocele, and elephantiasis in a subset of infected patients. METHODS AND FINDINGS To elucidate the role of CD4(+) T cell subsets in the development of lymphatic pathology, we examined specific sets of cytokines in individuals with filarial lymphedema in response to parasite ant...

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of clinical Pilates exercises with those of the standard lymphedema exercises on lymphedema developing after breast cancer treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study comprised 60 female patients with a mean age of 53.2±7.7 years who developed lymphedema after having breast cancer treatment. The patients were randomized into two...

Secondary lymphedema in humans is a common consequence of lymph node dissection (LND) to treat breast cancer. A peculiar characteristic of the disease is that lifelong swelling often precipitously appears several years after the surgical treatment, often due to an inflammatory stimulus. Although the incidence of secondary lymphedema dramatically increases after radiation therapy, the relationsh...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate alterations in posture and range of motion of the upper limbs in women after mastectomy and lymphadenectomy, submitted to radiotherapy as adjuvant treatment. METHODS Two groups were evaluated: 16 post-mastectomy women with lymphedema of the upper limb and 14 post-mastectomy women without lymphedema. Patients were submitted to analysis made by software, one for posture an...