Background Lymphedema, refractory to non-operative methods [1], may be managed by surgical treatment. Indications include insufficient lymphedema reduction by well performed medical and physical therapy (less than 50%), recurrent episodes of lymphangitis, intractable pain, worsening limb function, patient unsatisfied of the results obtained by non-operative methods and willing to proceed with s...

BACKGROUND Approximately 14 million persons living in areas endemic for lymphatic filariasis have lymphedema of the leg. Clinical studies indicate that repeated episodes of bacterial acute dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA) lead to progression of lymphedema and that basic lymphedema management, which emphasizes hygiene, skin care, exercise, and leg elevation, can reduce ADLA frequency. However, f...

Lymphedema, a complication resulting after breast cancer surgery, is caused by the decreased tissue distensibility around joints and the increased weight of extremity. Early symptoms of lymphedema include heaviness in the limb, numbness, tingling sensation and puffiness of the skin. The new techniques of treating cancer, such as sentinel node biopsy and intra-operative radiotherapy, may have si...

Lower body lymphedema is a chronic condition and a significant cause of morbidity following treatment of gynecologic cancer that strongly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL). Most studies on secondary lymphedema have been performed on the upper limb after breast cancer treatment and much less is known about lower body lymphedema after gynecologic malignancies. This review focuses on seconda...

Lymphedema is divided into primary and secondary forms. Primary lymphedema often develops in young people and may be caused by lymphvascular aplasia, hypoplasia, and hyperplasia. The most frequent cause of secondary lymphedema after lymphatic filariasis is regional lymph node dissection for treatment of a malignant tumor, and this complication occurs most frequently in middle aged or older pati...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To compare the self-reported comorbid conditions and medication usage between breast cancer survivors with and without breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema. DESIGN Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING A community-based study conducted in a major metropolitan area and surrounding rural counties in the southeastern United States. SAMPLE A convenience sample of 64 b...

PURPOSE evaluate whether manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) or active exercise (AE) is associated with shoulder range of motion (ROM), wound complication and changes in the lymphatic parameters after breast cancer (BC) surgery and whether these parameters have an association with lymphedema formation in the long run. METHODS Clinical trial with 106 women undergoing radical BC surgery, in the Wom...

BACKGROUND Lymphedema is a debilitating and disfiguring sequela of an overwhelmed lymphatic system. The most common causes of secondary lymphedema are lymphatic filariasis (LF), a vector-borne, parasitic disease endemic in 73 tropical countries, and treatment for cancer in developed countries. Lymphedema is incurable and requires life-long care so identification of effective lymphedema manageme...

Lymphedema of the arm is a common complication of breast cancer with symptoms that can persist over long periods of time. For older women (over 50% of breast cancer cases) it means living with the potential for long-term complications of persistent lymphedema in conjunction with the common diseases and disabilities of aging over survivorship. We identified women > or =65 years diagnosed with pr...

BACKGROUND Lymphedema is one of the major long-term complications of axillary dissection. This study was designed to investigate the risk factors that are predicted to effect the development of lymphedema after complete axillary dissection. METHODS Two hundred forty patients who had undergone modified radical mastectomy with complete axillary dissection were examined at least 18 months after ...