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The efficacy of lymphaticovenular anastomosis in breast cancer-related lymphedema.

ABSTRACT: Lymphedema can be a debilitating condition, causing a great decrease in a person's quality of life (QoL). Treatment with lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA), in which an anastomosis is created between the lymphatic and venous system, may attenuate lymphedema symptoms and reduce swelling. In this study, we share the results using LVA to treat breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) at our institution.Patients were eligible for inclusion if they suffered from unilateral BCRL, if functional lymphatics were available, if compression therapy was used for at least 6 months, and if the follow-up was 12 months at minimum. Lymph vessel functionality was assessed preoperatively using indocyanine green (ICG). During surgery, 1-3 anastomoses were created and shunt patency was confirmed using ICG. Arm volumes were measured before surgery and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. QoL was measured before surgery and at 6-month follow-up. Arm volume differences between the healthy arm and affected arm were compared between the time points.Twenty-nine consecutive female patients with unilateral BCRL were included. The preoperative mean difference in arm volumes was 701 ± 435 ml (36.9%). This was reduced to 496 ± 302 ml (24.7%) at 6-month follow-up (p = 0.00). At 12-month follow-up, the mean difference in arm volume was 467 ± 303 ml (23.5%) (p = 0.02). The overall perceived QoL was increased from 5.8 ± 1.1 to 7.4 ± 0.7 (p = 0.00). The functionality score decreased from 2.2 to 1.8 (p = 0.00), the appearance score decreased from 2.6 to 1.9 (p = 0.00), the symptoms score decreased from 2.8 to 1.8 (p = 0.00), and the mood score decreased from 2.7 to 1.5 (p = 0.00). Fifteen patients (53.6%) were able to discontinue the use of compression garment.Treatment with LVAs is effective in reducing arm volume difference in patients suffering from BCRL. Although no complete reduction of the edema was achieved at 12-month follow-up, the procedure significantly increased the patients' QoL.

SUBMITTER: Winters H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5543202 | biostudies-other | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:PurposeTo profile the prescription for and adherence to breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) self-care modalities among breast cancer (BrCa) survivors with BCRL in a 12-month randomized weightlifting trial.MethodsWe developed a questionnaire that assessed prescription for and adherence to 10 BCRL self-care modalities that included physical therapy exercise, pneumatic compression pump, medication, lymphedema bandaging, arm elevation, self-administered lymphatic drainage, therapist-administered lymphatic drainage, compression garments, skin care, and taping. We measured prescription for and adherence to BCRL self-care modalities at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Longitudinal logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) associated with prescription for and adherence to BCRL modalities over time.ResultsThis study included 141 BrCa survivors with BCRL. Women were prescribed an average of 3.6 ± 2.1 BCRL self-care modalities during the study. The prescription for therapist-administered lymphatic drainage (OR = 0.92, 95 % CI 0.88-0.96), pneumatic compression pump use (OR = 0.94, 95 % CI 0.89-0.98), and bandaging (OR = 0.96, 95 % CI 0.93-0.99) decreased over 12 months of follow-up. No other prescribed BCRL self-care modalities changed during the study. Over 12 months, the average adherence to all BCRL self-care modalities varied with 13, 24, 32, and 31 % of women reporting <25, 25-49, 50-74, and ≥75 % adherence, respectively. Over 12 months, there was a noticeable change from high to low adherence in self-administered lymphatic drainage, such that there was a 15 % increased likelihood of adherence <25 % compared to ≥75 % (OR = 1.15 (95 % CI 1.05-1.26); p = 0.002). The adherence patterns of all other modalities did not change over follow-up.ConclusionsOur findings suggest the prescription for BCRL self-care modalities is variable. The average adherence to BCRL self-care was non-optimal. Future research is necessary to prepare BrCa survivors with the knowledge, skills, abilities, and resources necessary to care for this lifelong condition.

Project description:This is a preliminary study to investigate the feasibility of electronic moxibustion in breast cancer patients with upper limb lymphedema. As current treatment options for lymphedema are unsatisfactory and time consuming, there have been attempts to manage symptoms using integrative treatments. Electronic moxibustion was developed to compensate for the shortcomings of conventional moxibustion and is widely used in clinical practice. However, there have been no studies on using electronic moxibustion in breast cancer-related lymphedema. To investigate the feasibility of electronic moxibustion in treating breast cancer-related lymphedema, this study included subjects who completed primary cancer treatment at least 6?months ago and had more than 10?mm difference in arm circumference of upper limbs. All subjects were assigned to the treatment group. Subjects were treated with 16 sessions (30?minutes/session) of electronic moxibustion for 8?weeks followed by 4?weeks of follow-up. For outcome measures, upper limb circumferences, shoulder range of motion, bioimpedance analysis, and quality of life questionnaire were assessed. All 10 subjects completed the study. The effective index showed 38.21% reduction after treatment (P?=?.0098) and 29.35% (P?=?.0039) after 4?weeks of follow-up compared to the baseline. The reduction of lymphedema was most prominent at 10?cm above the elbow crease, where the mean reduction of circumference difference was 7.5?mm (P?=?.0430) and continued to improve after treatment (mean reduction of 8.3?mm, P?=?.0156). There was significant improvement in shoulder range of motion only in flexion and internal rotation at week 9. There were 7 adverse events, and most were irrelevant to the treatment. Only 1 participant had a mild burn on the acupuncture point. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that electronic moxibustion treatment is a feasible treatment for breast cancer-related lymphedema. Electronic moxibustion may reduce differences in upper limb circumference and improve shoulder range of motion. A future comparative clinical trial is needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of this treatment.

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The efficacy of lymphaticovenular anastomosis in breast cancer-related lymphedema.

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