Physical treatment of secondary lymphedema of the arm in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Secondary lymphedema of the arm (SLEA) is the most common consequence of operation and/or radiotherapy for the malignant tumors of the breast. The frequency of SLEA is from 6 to 30 percent in patients with breast cancer This paper presents literature data about the methods of physical treatment of SLEA. A complex of decongestive physical therapy (CDP) is described consisting of the skin care of the arm on the operated and/or irradiated side, kinesy therapy, manual lymphodrainage of arm, and ban- daging with multilayer non elastic bandages of the arm. Along with CDP, a device assisted sequential pneumatic compression can be applied in order to reduce the SLEA. The prevention and early detection of SLEA, while it is still reversible, is the most important task in the postoperative and postirradiation period after the treatment of breast cancer.