Arm Lymphedema Research Articles

Compression therapy in lymphedema: Between past and recent scientific data.

Aim To extrapolate and discuss the scientific data on compression in lymphedema treatment, so to review old and innovative concepts about pressure, stiffness and other interplaying factors related to its efficacy and comfort. Material and methods Narrative review based on search in Medline/Google Scholar through key-words related to compression in lymphedema. Results Currently available literature lacks relevant details about data on protocol, devices, techniques, interface pressure, stiffness, as well as biases are represented by the different descriptions to present the outcomes. More recent evidence from adjustable wrap devices and elastic garments question the need for high pressure (especially for the upper limb) and stiffness in lymphedema treatment. Conclusions At present time a very strong compression pressure exerted by material with high stiffness seem to be questionable in lymphedema treatment. A low pressure provides the best outcomes in arm lymphedema, while a pressure in the range of 40–60 mm Hg seems to provide higher efficacy in lower limb lymphedema, provided it is maintained overtime. A high stiffness seems to be unnecessary to treat chronic edema. Future clinical trials, including proper description of treatment methodology and adequate investigating instrumental tools, are awaited to possibly corroborate the conclusive outcomes of our review.

Two Cancers Arising from Different Mesenchymal Origins: An Unexpected Connection over Time and Space

Sarcomas are rare tumours, accounting for 1% of all malignancies. They are histologically diverse, presenting with more than 50 different subtypes. Sarcoma can be broadly divided into two categories—soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma. Extraskeletal osteosarcoma is a unique subtype which is histologically similar to bone osteosarcoma but resides within soft tissue and has no attachments to bone. We present a rare case of a patient who initially presented with an extraskeletal osteosarcoma that was complicated by a chronic chest wall sinus and lymphedema of the left arm. He later developed enlarging left chest wall nodules at the same region that were proven to be dedifferentiated liposarcoma on biopsy 20 years later. We examine the occurrence of both extremely rare diseases of differing pathologies over the same site but separated by an extraordinarily long interval, and possible new associations to account for this phenomenon.

Location of arm draining lymph node in relation to breast cancer radiotherapy field and target volume

BackgroundLymphoedema of the arm following axillary surgery or radiotherapy remains a significant side effect affecting some women after breast cancer treatment. Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is a technique used to identify the lymph node draining the arm (ARM node). Our study aim was to examine the location of the ARM nodes in relation to target volumes and treatment fields for breast cancer radiotherapy. Materials and methodsEighteen breast cancer patients underwent lymphoscintigraphy of contralateral arm (left 10, right 8) and SPECT CT scan on a research study. Patient position for the SPECT CT scan approximated the position used for radiotherapy. Using MIM software™, the ARM node for each subject was contoured on the SPECT CT and verified by a nuclear medicine physician. The CT component of the SPECT CT was then transferred to ECLIPSE™ radiotherapy planning software, and the contralateral breast and axilla were contoured on this CT scan according to the ESTRO contouring guideline. Two radiotherapy plans were generated for each subject using standard tangential IMRT technique at a dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions, one treating contralateral breast alone, the other treating contralateral breast and contralateral axilla level 1–4. The ARM node was considered “within the radiotherapy field” if the mean dose received by the ARM node was more than 50% of the prescribed dose: i.e., 25 Gy. ResultsOne right-sided subject had 2 ARM nodes, all others had 1 ARM node. All ARM nodes (left 10, right 9) were located within level 1 of the axilla. For the subject with 2 ARM nodes, the node that received a higher dose was used for the analysis. The mean dose received by the ARM node in the whole breast radiotherapy plans ranged from 0.8 to 45.5 Gy, with a median of 10.9 Gy. The mean dose received by the ARM node in the whole breast and axilla plans ranged from 43.4 to 52.5 Gy, with a median of 49.3 Gy. In the whole breast radiotherapy plans, only 5 out of 18 ARM nodes were found to be “within radiotherapy field”, and only 2 ARM nodes received more than 40 Gy. In the breast and axilla plans, all 18 ARM nodes were “within radiotherapy field” and all received more than 40 Gy. To better visualise the locations of ARM nodes, all left sided ARM nodes were then mapped onto a CT set from one of the left-sided subjects, and all the right sided ARM nodes mapped onto one of the right-sided subjects, and digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) for radiotherapy fields were produced. ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that the vast majority of ARM nodes (72%) are outside the tangential whole breast radiotherapy fields. In our study, all the ARM nodes were within the axillary radiotherapy fields covering level 1–4 axillary volumes according to the ESTRO contouring guideline, and complete shielding of the humeral head according to the EORTC consensus did not lead to sparing of the ARM nodes. A prospective study is needed to examine the oncological safety of ARM node-sparing axillary radiotherapy and its potential to reduce the risk of arm lymphoedema.

Manual lymphatic drainage adds no further volume reduction to Complete Decongestive Therapy on breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a multicentre, randomised, single-blind trial

BackgroundWe investigated the comparability of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) including manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) vs. without MLD in the management of arm lymphoedema in patients with breast cancer.MethodsPatients randomised into either treatment including MLD (T+MLD) or treatment without MLD (T−MLD) received treatment 2×weekly for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the volume reduction (%) of arm lymphoedema at 7-month follow-up. The secondary outcomes were volume reduction after the end of treatment, circumference of the arm, patient experience of heaviness and tension, and health status.ResultsDespite difficulties enrolling the planned number of patients (160), 77 were randomised and 73 (38 in T+MLD, 35 in T−MLD) completed the trial. In both groups, the volume of lymphoedema decreased significantly, with no difference between groups (1.0% [95% CI, −4.3;2.3%]): the precision in the 95% confidence interval indicates that the efficacy was comparable; the mean (SE) changes at month 7 were −6.8%(1.2) and −5.7% (1.2) in the T+MLD and T−MLD, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences with respect to any of the secondary outcomes. The results were robust and the conclusion was not sensitive even to various alternative assumptions or analytic approaches to data analysis.ConclusionManual lymphatic drainage adds no further volume reduction in breast cancer patients.

Incidence of Breast Lymphedema and Predictors of its Development in Patients Receiving Whole Breast Radiation Therapy Alone after Breast-Conservation Surgery

Breast-conserving surgery followed by whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT) is the standard of care in the management of early stage breast cancer. A common adverse effect of WBRT is lymphedema. While arm lymphedema has been well-characterized, there has been less investigation into breast lymphedema. Patients receiving breast surgery at our institution are seen preoperatively and then followed in a lymphedema prevention clinic, where development of arm or breast lymphedema is documented. We sought to characterize rates of breast lymphedema in patients receiving WBRT and identify potential predictors in its development. A total of 243 consecutive patients treated with lumpectomy and WBRT from January 2016 – June 2017 were included. Patients with supraclavicular radiation were excluded. All patients were seen in our lymphedema clinic at baseline and for at least one follow-up measurement. Breast lymphedema grades were assigned by trained lymphedema nurses. Patient demographic and treatment data was abstracted from the electronic medical record. Univariate logistic regression models were generated to identify factors associated with lymphedema; two-tailed p-values were reported and a p-value of <0.05 considered significant. Statistical analysis was performed with SAS 9.3 software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Median patient age was 62 (range 31-90). Median follow-up from surgery was 15.3 months. 44 patients were diagnosed with lymphedema of the breast (18.1%). Rates of grade 1, 2 and 3 breast lymphedema were 93%, 7%, and 0%, respectively. Median time to diagnosis of breast lymphedema after surgery was 7.9 months. On univariate analysis, her-2 positive patients had a 35.0% rate of breast lymphedema, significantly higher than hormone positive (17.9%) and triple negative (6.9%) patients (p=0.02). The association between her-2 positive subtype and development of breast lymphedema remained significant on multivariate analysis (p=0.04). There was no association of breast lymphedema with age, T stage, use of hypofractionated radiation, radiation boost, number of lymph nodes removed, oncoplastic reduction, or arm lymphedema. In patients without a sentinel lymph node procedure, there were no reports of arm lymphedema, but breast lymphedema rate was 13%. Several her-2 negative patients received trastuzumab on clinical trial. Use of trastuzumab was not associated with breast lymphedema, nor was use of chemotherapy in general or any specific drug or drug class, such as taxanes. Breast lymphedema is a distinct entity from arm lymphedema, and a common finding in women treated with breast conservation. While arm lymphedema is often attributed to radiation or axillary surgery, our findings suggest that the etiology of breast lymphedema is related to tumor factors, as her-2 positive subtype was the only significant predictor in our population. More research is needed to investigate the biologic mechanisms responsible for this finding.

Do Compression Sleeves Reduce the Incidence of Arm Lymphedema and Improve Quality of Life? Two-Year Results from a Prospective Randomized Trial in Breast Cancer Survivors.

In a previous randomized controlled trial it has been demonstrated that arm compression sleeves worn immediately after breast cancer surgery, including axillary lymph node removal in addition to physical therapy are able to reduce the occurrence of early postoperative swelling and of arm lymphedema up to 1 year and to improve quality of life. The aim of the present investigation was to check the further development of the arm swelling in patients using compression sleeves or not, and to compare the quality of life in women treated due to breast cancer 2 years after surgery. Twenty from originally 23 patients who still wore their compression sleeves (15 mmHg) and 21 from 22 patients who had been randomized into the control group without compression could be seen after one more year. Arm volume measurements were performed and quality of life (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires) was assessed. Three from 20 patients in the compression group (CG) and 6 from 21 without compression showed arm lymphedema, defined by an increase of the arm volume exceeding 10% compared with the preoperative values. Significant improvement of several quality of life parameters were found in the CG. Light compression sleeves worn for 2 years are not only able to reduce the incidence of early postoperative edema and of lymphedema, but also lead to a significant improvement of important quality-of-life parameters like physical functioning, fatigue, pain, arm and breast symptoms, and future perspectives.

Gasless Transaxillary Endoscopic Thyroidectomy with Robotic Assistance: A High-Volume Experience in North America.

Since its introduction nine years ago, gasless transaxillary thyroidectomy with robotic assistance (RT) has achieved a relatively limited application in North America. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of RT in a recent large, diverse North American population. Consenting patients were selected for the RT approach from November 2010 to July 2015 based on patient preference, and their perioperative data were retrospectively reviewed. Of 301 robotic thyroidectomies completed in 281 patients, 160 were total thyroidectomy and 141 were lobectomy. Women predominated (98.9%), with a mean age of 41 years (range 17-74 years) and a mean follow-up of 24 months (range 3-71 months). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.7 kg/m2 (range 17-44 kg/m2). However, 33.3% of patients had a BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2, 12.4% had a BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2, 3.5% had a BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2, and 0.7% had a BMI ≥40 kg/m2. Excluding 20 completion lobectomy, the indications for surgery were indeterminate cytology (53%), malignant cytology (10%), growth (18%), Graves' disease (12%), and other (5%). The mean size of the largest resected nodule was 2.5 cm (range 0.7-6.4 cm). Mean operating time for robotic lobectomy and total thyroidectomy was 81 and 109 minutes, respectively. One patient was converted to standard cervicotomy for failure to progress endoscopically. Complications included temporary dysphonia (6.0%), permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve deficit (1.3%), hypocalcemia (temporary 8.2%, permanent 1.1%), seroma (0.7%), and hematoma requiring reoperation (0.3%). Complications did not differ in patients with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 compared to those with a BMI <25 kg/m2 or with respect to nodules >3 cm or surgery for Graves' thyroiditis. One patient developed grade II arm lymphedema ipsilateral to the axillary incision at two years, which resolved with conservative management. No patient had a surgical site infection or brachial plexopathy. Cancer was present histologically in 133 (48%) patients. Among 91 patients with cancer of the index nodule, 48.4% had papillary, 44.0% follicular variant papillary, 2.2% minimally invasive follicular carcinoma, and 5.5% minimally invasive Hürthle cell carcinoma. One patient had sclerosing variant thyroid paraganglioma. To date, all patients are without evidence of tumor recurrence. At a high-volume center, gasless transaxillary endoscopic thyroid surgery done with robotic assistance is a safe, efficient, and effective approach in a diverse North American patient population.

Assessment of Subfascial Muscle/Water and Fat Accumulation in Lymphedema Patients Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background: In patients with arm or leg lymphedema, more fat has been found in the epifascial compartment of the edematous limb compared to the healthy limb. However, not much is known about subfascial fat accumulation in these patients. This study aims to investigate the intramuscular and intermuscular fat and muscle/water volume in lymphedema patients. The excess of intramuscular and intermuscular fat volume was also compared to the excess epifascial fat volume, the excess limb volume, and the duration of lymphedema. Methods and Results: Data from 13 patients (seven arm and six leg lymphedemas) were acquired using a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner before liposuction and at five time points (4 days, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year) after liposuction. From water-fat imaging, fat and muscle/water volumes within the intramuscular and intermuscular compartments were calculated. The relative excess volume was defined as (volume of edematous limb-volume of healthy limb)/volume of healthy limb. Elevated relative excess volumes of intramuscular and intermuscular fat were found at all time points. A decrease in the relative excess volume of muscle/water over time was found. This decrease was not correlated to the relative excess of epifascial fat volume, the relative excess of limb volume, or the duration of lymphedema. Conclusions: An excess fat volume was found in the intramuscular and intermuscular compartments in lymphedema patients. The results suggest that the subfascial compartment needs to be studied separately as no correlation between intramuscular/intermuscular fat accumulation and other measured parameters was found.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Arm Lymphedema Following Breast Cancer Treatment

Background: All breast cancer patients are at risk for developing lymphedema (LE) as a complication of breast cancer surgery and radiation. The reported incidence ranges from 5%-60%. In Ghana, 50% of women with breast cancer who come to the hospital present with late-stage breast cancer. Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has no available data to support LE incidence. Aim: To determine the incidence and risk factors of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment at the oncology unit of KATH, Kumasi, Ghana between 01 January 2005 to 31 December 2008. Methods: Breast cancer and lymphedema related variables were collected from the medical records of breast cancer patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and χ2 tests. Results: Among 313 patients treated for breast cancer between 2005 and 2008, 31 (9.9%) developed lymphedema after treatment. A χ2 test showed that axillary lymph node dissection was statistically a significant risk factor of lymphedema (χ2 test value = 7.055, P = 0.008). Radiation and late stage of breast cancer diagnosis may have contributed in development of lymphedema despite having P value &gt; 0.05. Age, BMI and hypertension were also not associated with lymphedema. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the incidence of lymphedema was 9.9% with axillary lymph node dissection as a statistically significant risk factor of lymphedema. Implication for practice: With majority of breast cancer patients presenting with late stage disease and also undergoing axillary lymph node dissection, lymphedema will continue to be a problem in Ghana. Knowing the incidence and risk factors of lymphedema not only helps in the early detection and effective management of lymphedema but also provides base-line data for further research on lymphedema in Ghana.

Manual lymph drainage may not have a preventive effect on the development of breast cancer-related lymphoedema in the long term: a randomised trial.

What are the short-term and long-term preventive effects of manual lymph drainage (MLD), when used in addition to information and exercise therapy, on the development of lymphoedema after axillary dissection for breast cancer? Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors and intention-to-treat analysis. Adults undergoing unilateral dissection for breast cancer were recruited, with 79 allocated to the experimental group and 81 to the control group. The experimental group received guidelines about prevention of lymphoedema, exercise therapy and MLD. The control group received the same guidelines and exercise therapy, but no MLD. The interventions in both groups were delivered for 6 months. The primary outcome was cumulative incidence of arm lymphoedema defined in four ways (≥200ml,≥2cm,≥5%, and≥10% increase), which represent the difference in arm volume or circumference between the affected and healthy sides compared with the difference before surgery. Secondary outcomes included point prevalence of lymphoedema, change in arm volume difference, shoulder range of movement, quality of life and function. Incidence rates were comparable between experimental and control groups at all follow-up measurements. Sixty months after surgery, the cumulative incidence rate for the≥200ml definition was 35% for the experimental group versus 29% for the control group (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.54, p=0.45); for the≥2cm definition 35% versus 38% (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.45, p=0.73); for the≥5% definition 68% versus 53% (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.69, p=0.08) and for the≥10% definition 28% versus 24% (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.10, p=0.57). The secondary outcomes were comparable between the groups at most assessment points. Manual lymph drainage may not have a preventive effect on the development of breast cancer-related lymphoedema in the short and long term. Netherlands Trial Register NTR 1055. [Devoogdt N, Geraerts I, Van Kampen M, De Vrieze T, Vos L, Neven P, Vergote I, Christiaens M-R, Thomis S, De Groef A (2018) Manual lymph drainage may not have a preventive effect on the development of breast cancer-related lymphoedema in the long term: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy 64: 245-254].

Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema—a Case of the Left Upper Arm Lymphedema After Modified Radical Mastectomy Presenting with Nonfunctional Limb

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a common and feared complication of breast cancer treatment. Incidence of BCRL ranges from 0 to 60% and it depends upon stage of disease, type of surgery, and adjuvant treatment like chemotherapy and radiation. This is a case report of a patient presenting with nonfunctional limb (grade III as per CTC staging of lymphedema) who required amputation for the symptomatic relief.

Aggressive Decongestion in Limbs with Lymphedema without Subcutaneous Echo-Free Space

To study the impact of aggressive decongestion in limbs with lymphedema without subcutaneous echo-free space (SEFS) in subcutaneous tissue ultrasonography. In 13 patients with arm lymphedema (ALE) (13 arms) and 16 patients with leg lymphedema (LLE) (18 legs) without SEFS, an aggressive decongestion was performed as the first phase of complex decongestive therapy. Measurements of circumference and calculation of limb volume were performed before and after the treatment. In ALE, no significant reduction in arm volume (median -63 [range -251 to 176] mL) or edema ratio (-4 [-15 to 12]%) was confirmed. On the other hand, a small but significant reduction in leg volume (-207 [-834 to 131] mL, P<0.001) and edema ratio (-4 [-14 to 2]%, P<0.01) was confirmed in LLE. In limbs with lymphedema without SEFS, the impact of aggressive decongestion seemed limited.

Liposuction Gives Complete Reduction of Arm Lymphedema following Breast Cancer Treatment-A 5-year Prospective Study in 105 Patients without Recurrence.

Background:Arm lymphedema is a well-recognized complication after breast cancer surgery that negatively impacts patients’ quality of life, both physiologically and psychologically. Lymph stasis and inflammation result in excess formation of adipose tissue, which makes removal of the deposited subcutaneous fat necessary to eliminate the excess volume. Liposuction, combined with postoperative controlled compression therapy (CCT), is the only treatment that gives complete reduction of the excess volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 5-year results after liposuction in combination with CCT.Methods:Patients consecutively operated on between 1993 and 2012 were identified from the lymphedema registry, comprising all patients with nonpitting lymphedema treated with liposuction and CCT in our department. Standardized forms were used to collect pre-, peri-, and postoperative data.Results:One hundred five women with nonpitting edema were treated. The mean interval between the breast cancer operation and lymphedema start was 2.9 ± 5.0 years, the mean duration of lymphedema was 10 ± 7.4 years, and the preoperative mean excess volume was 1,573 ± 645 ml. The mean volume aspirated was 1,831 ± 599 ml. Postoperative mean reduction 5 years postoperatively was 117% ± 26% as compared with the healthy arm.Conclusion:Liposuction is an effective method for the treatment of chronic, nonpitting, arm lymphedema resistant to conservative treatment. The volume reduction remains complete after 5 years.

Self-Management Strategies for Malignant Lymphedema: A Case Report with 1-Year and 4-Year Follow-Up Data.

Purpose: Malignant lymphedema is an accumulation of interstitial fluid caused by tumour infiltration or compression of lymphatic vessels. Our objective is to describe self-management strategies for malignant lymphedema using a case report. Client Description: A 50-year-old woman with advanced breast cancer was referred to our centre with a 3-month history of unexplained left-arm edema, subsequently diagnosed as malignant lymphedema caused by tumour compression of the axillary lymph nodes. Intervention: She undertook a physiotherapist-guided, modified lymphedema treatment programme, with self-management interventions including self-bandaging and exercise. Limb volumes and leisure exercise levels were measured over a 1-year period. Data were collected from her follow-up visit 4 years post-diagnosis of lymphedema. Measures and Outcome: Within the first month, the patient's excess limb volume reduced from 26.8% to 5.9% and, 1 year later, remained stable at 3%. Over time, her exercise levels increased (1-year follow-up: 33.5 MET-hours per week). At 4 years, her excess limb volume was 9.7%, and exercise levels were at 36 MET-hours per week. Implications: A woman with moderate malignant arm lymphedema caused by advanced breast cancer successfully adhered to a guided self-management programme and benefited from reduced swelling and improved self-reported physical function in the long term. This case provides oncology health professionals with knowledge about self-management options for malignant lymphedema.

Axillary reverse mapping (ARM): where to go.

In the past decades, breast surgeons have changed the clinical practice in the surgical treatment of breast cancer, by performing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) instead of performing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in axillary lymph node clinically negative breast cancer patients. ALND can also be avoided in SLN-positive patients who meet the Z-0011 criteria. However, the postoperative complications of SLNB and ALND, such as the secondary upper extremity lymphedema, are common and need effective solutions to prevent as soon as possible. The axillary reverse mapping (ARM) technique has been developed to map and preserve arm lymphatic drainage during ALND and/or SLNB, thereby minimizing arm lymphedema. However, the success of ARM in reducing lymphedema has not been exactly determined. If ARM can be confirmed to be both effective and oncologically safe in preventing lymphedema, this technique should be recommended in the management of breast cancer treatment.

Lymphedema Leads to Fat Deposition in Muscle and Decreased Muscle/Water Volume After Liposuction: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Background: Lymphedema leads to adipose tissue deposition. Water–fat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can quantify and localize fat and water. The presence of excess fat and excess water/muscle in the subfascial compartment of the lymphedematous limb has not been investigated before. The aim of this study was to investigate epifascial and subfascial fat and water contents in patients with chronic lymphedema before and after liposuction.Methods and Results: Seven patients with arm lymphedema and six with leg lymphedema were operated on. The limbs were examined with water–fat MRI before liposuction (baseline) and at five time points. Complete reduction of the excess limb volumes was achieved. The excess epifascial fat was evident in the edematous limbs and a drop was seen following surgery. There were differences in excess water at all time points. At 1 year there was a decrease in excess water. Excess subfascial fat was seen in the edematous limbs at all time points. Subfascial excess water/muscle did not show any differences after surgery. However, starting from 3 months there was less subfascial water/muscle compared with baseline.Conclusions: Subfascial fat in the lymphedematous limbs did not change. In contrast, the water in the subfascial compartment was reduced over time, which may represent a decrease of muscle volume after treatment due to less mechanical load after liposuction. Using water–fat MRI-based fat quantification, the fat and water contents may be quantified and localized in the various compartments in lymphedema.

Clinical effectiveness of decongestive treatments on excess arm volume and patient-centered outcomes in women with early breast cancer-related arm lymphedema: a systematic review.

ABSTRACTObjective:To identify the effect of decongestive lymphedema treatment on excess arm volume or patient-centered outcomes in women presenting within either 12 months or a mean nine months of developing arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment.Introduction:Lymphedema is a common consequence of breast cancer treatment requiring life-long treatment to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. Currently, evidence to inform the optimal decongestive lymphedema treatment package is lacking.Inclusion criteria:The review included studies on women who received lymphedema treatment within either 12 months or a mean of nine months of developing unilateral breast cancer-related arm lymphedema. The intervention was any decongestive lymphedema treatment delivered with the purpose of reducing arm lymphedema, compared to another form of lymphedema treatment (whether self or practitioner-administered), placebo or no treatment. The clinical outcome was excess arm volume; patient-centered outcomes were health-related quality of life, arm heaviness, arm function, patient-perceived benefit and satisfaction with treatment. Experimental study designs were eligible, including randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, prospective and retrospective before and after studies were considered.Methods:A three-step search strategy was utilized to find published and unpublished studies. The search identified studies published from the inception of each database to July 6, 2016. Reference lists were scanned to identify further eligible studies. Studies were critically appraised using appropriate standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Details describing each study and treatment results regarding outcomes of interest were extracted from papers included in the review using appropriate standardized data extraction tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Due to heterogeneity in included studies, results for similar outcome measures were not pooled in statistical meta-analysis. A narrative and tabular format was used to synthesize results from identified and included studies.Results:Seven studies reporting results for outcomes of interest were critically appraised and included in the review: five randomized controlled trials and two descriptive (uncontrolled) studies. Reported outcomes included excess arm volume (five studies), health-related quality of life (three studies), arm heaviness (one study), arm function (two studies) and patient-perceived benefit (two studies). There was some evidence that decongestive treatments were effective for women presenting within either 12 months or a mean of nine months of developing breast cancer-related arm lymphedema, but the wide range of data prevented comparison of treatment findings which limited our ability to answer the review questions.Conclusions:Weak evidence (grade B) for the impact of decongestive lymphedema treatment on women with early lymphedema (i.e. less than 12 months duration of BCRL symptoms) did not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the most effective treatment to be offered when these women first present for treatment. Findings provided no justification to support change to current practice.Future primary research needs to focus on the most effective treatment for women when they first present with lymphedema symptoms, e.g. treatment provided within 12 months of developing symptoms. Studies should be adequately powered and recruit women exclusively with less than 12 months duration of breast cancer-related lymphedema symptoms, provide longer follow-up to monitor treatment effect over time, with comparable treatment protocols, outcome measures and reporting methods.

Correlation Between Changes in Extremity Volume and Bioelectrical Impedance in Arm and Leg Lymphedema.

To clarify the differences in the mode of fluid accumulation between arm and leg lymphedema using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). In 22 arms with lymphedema (ALE) and 65 legs with lymphedema (LLE), as well as 54 legs with venous edema (VE) for comparison, BIA was performed twice between April 2015 and March 2017. Then, the changes in BIA-derived parameters were correlated with the changes in extremity volumes. In ALE, the change in extracellular fluid resistance (Re) was negatively correlated with the change in arm volume (r = 0.51), while the change in intracellular fluid resistance (Ri) was constant, irrespective of the change in arm volume (r = 0.19). In LLE, the change in Re was negatively correlated with the change in leg volume (r = 0.67), but the change in Ri was also negatively correlated with the change in leg volume (r = 0.51). These correlations were similar to those in VE, in which the changes in Re and Ri were each negatively correlated with the change in leg volume (r = 0.66 and 0.53, respectively). The modes of change in BIA-derived parameters according to the change in extremity volume were different in ALE and LLE. The changes in LLE were similar to that in VE.

A Scintigraphic Method for Quantitation of Lymphatic Function in Arm Lymphedema.

Lymphoscintigraphy is commonly used to assess breast cancer-related lymphedema. However, a reliable quantitative method that clearly distinguishes normal lymphatic function from lymphedema is desired. We propose a quantitative method based upon the physiological mean transit time (MTT) measure of lymph fluid passing through the arm. Eleven patients, aged 34-68 years, with unilateral arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment underwent simultaneous bilateral lymphoscintigraphy using intradermal injection of 99mTc-labeled human serum albumin (HSA). Imaging was performed at 30-45 minute intervals for 5 hours. Time activity curves from each injection site and each arm region were recorded. The input into the arm region was obtained as the (minus) time derivative of the injection site activity curve. In the proposed model the arm activity curve was considered to arise from the convolution of the retention function and the input function. The retention function was obtained by fitting the calculated arm activity curve to the measured arm activity curve. The MTT of activity passing through the arm was calculated as the time integral of the resulting retention function. All measured time activity curves were well described by the model. The MTT of the lymphedema arm (mean 60.1 minutes, range 22-105 minutes) was markedly different from that of the contralateral normal arm (mean 5.4 minutes, range 1.2-8.7 minutes), p < 0.0001. The proposed model showed great similarity with measured time activity curves and was capable of quantitatively distinguishing lymphatic function of the lymphedema arm from that of the normal arm in terms of calculated MTT.

Lymphedema following breast cancer: The importance of surgical methods and obesity.

Breast cancer-related arm lymphedema is a serious complication that can adversely affect quality of life. Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of lymphedema is vital for identifying avenues for prevention. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the development of arm lymphedema and both treatment and personal (e.g., obesity) risk factors. Women diagnosed with breast cancer in Iowa during 2004 and followed through 2010, who met eligibility criteria, were asked to complete a short computer assisted telephone interview about chronic conditions, arm activities, demographics, and lymphedema status. Lymphedema was characterized by a reported physician-diagnosis, a difference between arms in the circumference (> 2cm), or the presence of multiple self-reported arm symptoms (at least two of five major arm symptoms, and at least four total arm symptoms). Relative risks (RR) were estimated using logistic regression. Arm lymphedema was identified in 102 of 522 participants (19.5%). Participants treated by both axillary dissection and radiation therapy were more likely to have arm lymphedema than treated by either alone. Women with advanced cancer stage, positive nodes, and larger tumors along with a body mass index > 40 were also more likely to develop lymphedema. Arm activity level was not associated with lymphedema. Surgical methods, cancer characteristics and obesity were found to contribute to the development of arm lymphedema. Vigorous arm activity post-surgery was not found to increase the risk of arm lymphedema.