Abstract PO3-12-02: SAFETY AND TOLERANCE OF THE USE OF SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN LYMPHEDEMA SECONDARY TO THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Lymphedema is a very common complication of breast cancer treatment. The first-line therapeutic method for lymphedema is Complex Physical Therapy. An option currently mentioned as an adjuvant and non-invasive treatment for lymphedema secondary to breast cancer is Shockwave Therapy. Objectives: To evaluate the safety and tolerance of shockwave therapy for the treatment of upper limb lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study carried out with 17 women who underwent breast surgery associated with axillary lymphadenectomy or Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and who had upper limb lymphedema secondary to the treatment of breast cancer. All were treated with complex physical therapy prior to the study. Four sessions of Shockwave Therapy were applied, 4000 shocks at 0.06 mJ/mm2, 1 time per week for 4 consecutive weeks. For that, the participants were evaluated through the application of questionnaires and physical examination and underwent shock wave therapy for the upper limb ipsilateral to the surgery. Results: After the intervention, none of the participants had skin lesions, blisters, desquamation or hyperthermia of the limbs, and 17.65% had skin redness. Most patients reported no change in their social life and that they felt safer in daily activities and very satisfied with the treatment. The patients showed improvement in upper limb functionality after the intervention versus baseline (p=0.02). No difference in limb volume and shoulder range of motion over time for all movements performed was found after the intervention and at the evaluated intervals. In addition, improvements were observed in some domains of the quality-of-life questionnaires. Conclusion: Shockwave Therapy proved to be safe and tolerable in patients with lymphedema, with improved functionality and no significant change in the volume of the affected limb. Keywords: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy; Lymphedema; Breast cancer. Citation Format: Patricia Lima Ventura, Cinira Haddad, Vanessa Sanvido, Afonso Nazário, Gil Facina, Amanda Estevao, Samantha Lopes de Almeida Rizzi. SAFETY AND TOLERANCE OF THE USE OF SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN LYMPHEDEMA SECONDARY TO THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-12-02.