Objective To predict the probability of lymphedema development in breast cancer patients in the early post-operation stage, we investigated the ability of quantitative lymphoscintigraphic assessment. Methods This retrospective study included 201 patients without lymphedema after unilateral breast cancer surgery. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed between 4 and 8 weeks after surgery to evaluate ...

BACKGROUND Of the 2 million breast carcinoma survivors, perhaps 15-20% are living currently with posttreatment lymphedema. Along with the physical discomfort and disfigurement, patients with lymphedema also must cope with the distress derived from these symptoms. METHODS To review the medical literature for the question of lymphedema incidence, a comprehensive, computerized search was perform...

BACKGROUND No tool exists to measure self-efficacy for overcoming lymphedema-related exercise barriers in individuals with cancer-related lymphedema. However, an existing scale measures confidence to overcome general exercise barriers in cancer survivors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop, validate and assess the reliability of a subscale, to be used in conjunction with the ge...

A project of the American Lymphedema Framework Project (ALFP), this review seeks to examine the policy and economic impact of caring for patients with lymphedema, a common side effect of cancer treatment. This review is the first of its kind undertaken to investigate, coordinate, and streamline lymphedema policy initiatives in the United States with potential applicability worldwide. As part of...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Accurate and economical characterization of lymphedema is needed for population-based studies of incidence and risk. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a telephone questionnaire for characterizing lymphedema. SUBJECTS Forty-three women who were treated previously for breast cancer and who were recruited from physical therapy practices and a cancer sup...

BACKGROUND Lymphedema is the major complication following breast cancer treatment and can persist long periods of time and affect breast cancer survivors' quality of life. Accurate estimation of the risk factors for lymphedema is of significant importance. In this article we report the factors for secondary lymphedema among postmenopausal breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy in China...

Research on secondary lymphedema primarily uses indirect methods for diagnosis. This paper compares prevalence and cumulative burden following breast cancer surgery, as well as personal, treatment, and behavioral characteristics associated with lymphedema, using different assessment techniques. Lymphedema status was assessed at three-monthly intervals between six- and 18-months post-surgery in ...

Secondary lymphedema is a common postcancer treatment complication, but the underlying pathological processes are poorly understood and no curative treatment exists. To investigate lymphedema pathomechanisms, a top-down approach was applied, using genomic data and validating the role of a single target. RNA sequencing of lymphedematous mouse skin indicated upregulation of many T cell-related ne...

BACKGROUND Lymphedema can cause significant physical impairment and quality-of-life issues. Yet there is a gap in knowledge about lymphedema among breast cancer survivors (BCS), and health care professionals (HCP). Ethnodrama is an innovative knowledge translation strategy that uses theatrical performances for dissemination of research results. We evaluated the impact of live ethnodrama on HCP'...

HYPOTHESIS The causes and management of lower limb lymphedema in the Western population are different from those in the developing world. OBJECTIVE To look at the differential diagnosis, methods of investigation, and available treatments for lower limb lymphedema in the West. DATA SOURCE A PubMed search was conducted for the years 1980-2002 with the keyword "lymphedema." English language an...