COVID-19 May Reduce the Effectiveness of Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Case Report

Abstract

The results of treatment for a patient with breast cancer-related lymphedema who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in a treatment period are presented. A 47-year-old female patient had unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema. The patient received complex decongestive physiotherapy for 10 and 15 sessions before COVID-19 diagnosis and after the patient recovered from COVID-19, respectively. The limb volume was calculated using the frustum formula, relying on arm circumference measurements. The level of pain severity on the affected limb was assessed using an 11-point numeric pain rating scale. Before COVID-19 diagnosis, the patient had no pain, and the limb volume of the patient decreased by about 61% after complex decongestive physiotherapy. After the patient recovered from COVID-19, the patient had a pain score of 8 on her affected limb. The limb volume decreased by about 3% and 17% at the end of the 10th and 15th sessions, respectively. The pain scores were 4 and 0 at the end of the 10th and 15th sessions, respectively. The effectiveness of complex decongestive physiotherapy in limb volume may be reduced in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema who have experienced COVID-19. To achieve optimal results from complex decongestive physiotherapy in this patient population, clinicians are advised to consider the patient's COVID-19 status or relevant medical history when determining the treatment duration and assessing the effectiveness of the treatment.