Lymphedema of upper limb after radical treatment of breast cancer patients: current management principles

• Authors: Leszek S Kołodziejski , Wojciech Łobaziewicz , Katarzyna Ochałek , Elżbieta Niedbała

Title variants

PL

Obrzęk limfatyczny kończyny górnej po radykalnym leczeniu chorych na raka piersi – aktualne zasady postępowania

Abstracts

EN

Upper limb lymphedema (ULL) is the most severe late complication following radical treatment of breast cancer (BC). It can be caused by both cancer recurrence and previous therapy (lymphadenectomy, axillary radiotherapy). In BC survivors, ULL- inducing factors include: previous irradiation treatment, infections within the upper limb or the scar, high BMI. Diagnosis of ULL makes use of measurements of the circumference and volume of the limb, imaging, measuring electrical impedance of tissues and lymphoscintigraphy which determines the type and severity of lymph flow disturbances. ULL has a chronic and progressive nature leading to physical, psychic and social disability and, on rare occasions, to secondary neoplasms of the lymphatic system. Therapeutic management involves: patients’ education, complex physical therapy (manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy), reduction and drainage surgery (microsurgery) as well as liposuction. The most effective conservative procedures include complex physical therapy and particularly manual lymphatic drainage with compression therapy. Failure of conservative therapy indicates the need for surgery. Liposuction is a currently preferred surgical procedure because of its simplicity and a low percentage of complications. Surgery should be complemented by constant compression therapy. Due to low efficiency of all the methods applied, ULL prevention is of paramount importance. It should consist in rationalising indications for oncological treatment (lymphadenectomy, radiation therapy).

Keywords

EN

breast cancer; lymphedema of upper limb; complex physical therapy; leczenie

PL

rak piersi; obrzek limfatyczny; leczenie; kompleksowa fizjoterapia

• Publisher: Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego im. Bronisława Czecha w Krakowie
• Journal: Medical Rehabilitation
• Year: 2009
• Volume: 13(2)
• Pages: 23-31

Dates

published

2009

Contributors

author

Leszek S Kołodziejski

author

Wojciech Łobaziewicz

author

Katarzyna Ochałek

author

Elżbieta Niedbała

Identifiers

Biblioteka Nauki

1942926