Quantitative assessment of the results of lymphovenous edema therapy in patients after combined treatment of breast cancer

Abstract

Background. Secondary lymphovenous edema of the hand is one of the most common and serious complications of specialized treatment of breast cancer. Purpose – to quantify the dynamics of treatment of lymphovenous edema of the hand by measuring its volume using the proposed device model. Materials and methods. In 23 patients, the type of radiation injury was determined by the radionuclide method, the degree of secondary hand edema was determined using a number of designed devices. Treatment was performed by irradiating the areas of radiation fibrosis and the corresponding lymphatic collectors with ultra-low frequency electromagnetic radiation (UHF EMR) and compression lymphatic drainage. Results and discussion. The dynamics of the treatment was evaluated by the change in the volume of the hand, which was determined by the amount of fluid displaced from the model of the measuring device when the distal part of the upper limb was immersed in it. Conclusions. This technique can be considered as an objective method for quantifying lymphovenous edema of the hand.