Long-Term Effects of Complex Decongestive Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients With Arm Lymphedema After Axillary Dissection.
10.5535/arm.2013.37.5.690
- Author:
Jung Min HWANG
1
;
Ji Hye HWANG
;
Tae Won KIM
;
Seung Yeol LEE
;
Hyun Ju CHANG
;
In Ho CHU
Author Information
1. Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hwanglee@skku.edu
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Lymphedema;
Physical therapy modalities;
Breast neoplasms
- MeSH:
Arm*;
Breast Neoplasms*;
Breast*;
Edema;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Lymphedema*;
Physical Therapy Modalities;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
2013;37(5):690-697
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term effects of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) on edema reduction in breast cancer-related lymphedema patients after axillary dissection, according to the initial volume of edema. METHODS: A retrospective review of 57 patients with unilateral arm after an axillary dissection for breast cancer was performed. The patients, treated with two weeks of CDT and self-administered home therapy, were followed for 24 months. Arm volume was serially measured by using an optoelectronic volumeter prior to and immediately after CDT; and there were follow-up visits at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Patients were divided into two groups according to the percent excess volume (PEV) prior to CDT: group 1, PEV<20% and group 2, PEV> or =20%. RESULTS: In group 1, mean PEV before CDT was 11.4+/-5.0% and 14.1+/-10.6% at 24 months after CDT with no significant difference. At the end of CDT, PEV was 28.8+/-15.7% in group 2, which was significantly lower than the baseline (41.9+/-19.6%). The reduction of PEV was maintained for 24 months in group 2. CONCLUSION: The long-term effects of CDT were well-maintained for 24 months, but there was a difference in progression of PEV between the two groups. The patients with more initial PEV showed significant volume-reducing effects of CDT. In patients with less initial PEV, the severity of lymphedema did not progress to higher grades.
