Abstract
Objective: This article aims to discuss the effect of self-treatment during rehabilitation maintenance phase on affected limb lymphedema after surgery for breast cancer. Methods: Therapists for lymphedema gave one course of complex decongestion therapy (CDT) to affected limb lymphedema of 42 patients after operation for breast cancer. After CDT, patients took self-treatment during rehabilitation maintenance phase. At the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th month after self-treatment, follow-up was conducted for the patients to measure the circumference of the limb, and condition of some lymphedema-related symptoms (such as limitation of shoulder movement, sense of tension, heaviness, needling and numbness). Results: After self-treatment, the circumference of the limb reduced and the lymphedema-induced symptoms improved significantly at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th month (P<0.05). Besides, 12 months after self-treatment, the lymphedema was maintained at stable phase and lymphedema-related symptoms were improved. The incidence of limitation of shoulder movement, sense of numbness, needling, tension, and heaviness reduced significantly compared with that before self-treatment (P<0.05). Conclusions: Adherence to self-treatment for lymphedema-related symptoms during rehabilitation maintenance phase can reduce the recurrence rate of lymphedema and thus is an effective method for consolidation treatment.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in females [1]
Our department followed up the effect of self-treatment of 42 patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery during rehabilitation maintenance phase after complex decongestion therapy (CDT) treatment
Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most common postoperative complications of breast cancer patients, with upper limb swelling, sense of heaviness, numbness, tension, and shoulder movement limitation, which seriously affect the quality of life of patients
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in females [1]. With the continuous development of medical precision treatment technology in recent years, the long-term survival rate of breast cancer patients has increased significantly, with a 5-year overall survival rate of more than 85% [2]. Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most common postoperative complications, with upper limb swelling, heaviness, numbness, shoulder movement limitation, sense of tension and other symptoms which affect the patient's quality of life [3]. Manual lymphatic drainage as a complex decongestion therapy (CDT) is the most effective and conservative treatment method for lymphedema [4]. Self-lymphatic drainage with bandaging and wearing a pressure arm sleeve during the maintenance phase is an important measure for follow-up treatment and can consolidate the effect of previous treatment, and it can even be a measure taken by the patient for the rest of life. Our department followed up the effect of self-treatment of 42 patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery during rehabilitation maintenance phase after CDT treatment.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
