Complex decongestive therapy for secondary lymphoedema in women after breast cancer treatment

Abstract

AbstractSecondary lymph edema occurs in abort 6-40% of women treated for breast cancer. This is not the only an aesthetic problem. Edema makes serious health complications for example recurrent inflammation and rose, limb elephantiasis, which leads to degenerative changes in the joints, nerve plexus damage and angiosarcoma – cancer with poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and implementation of therapy is very important. Too late intervention difficult the rehabilitation and increases the possibility of complications also. The most important in the reduction of swelling and remove the lymph balance is a complex decongestive therapy (CDT): lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, skin care and exercises. Lymphatic drainage results in increased production of the lymph and movement of the lymph. Compression therapy leads to the reduction in the effective pressure ultrafiltration. Skin care is to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. Exercises makes increase muscle pump action and transport of the lymph. CDT consist of two phase: reduction phase and consolidation phase. It is a most popular method of treatment lymph edema around the world. It is most effective therapy also.