Exploring the potential role of health resort medicine in the management of breast cancer-related lymphedema: a viable alternative for innovative rehabilitation opportunities?

Lymphedema is a chronic and progressive disorder of the lymphatic system that impairs the return of lymphatic fluid. Breast cancer treatment can cause breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), with axillary lymph node dissection and regional lymph node radiation being established risk factors. BCRL can cause severe morbidity, disability, and reduced quality of life. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent the disease from progressing and causing complications. According to the International Society of Lymphology, complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is the most effective conservative treatment for lymphedema. Aquatic exercise is a safe and effective form of therapeutic CDT exercise that can improve joint range of motion, reduce pain, and positively impact limb volume. Additionally, health resort medicine and thermal mineral-rich waters may provide synergistic benefits for therapeutic exercise programs. Therefore, we believe that consideration should be given to whether the spa setting could represent a viable alternative for the rehabilitation of BCRL patients.

Occurrence of breast-cancer-related lymphedema after reverse lymphatic mapping and selective axillary dissection versus standard surgical treatment of axilla: A two-arm randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The need for axillary dissection (AD) is declining, but it is still essential for many patients with nodal involvement who risk developing breast-cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) with lifelong consequences. Previous nonrandomized studies found axillary reverse mapping and selective axillary dissection (ARM-SAD) a safe and feasible way to preserve the arm's lymphatic drainage. METHODS: The present two-arm prospective randomized clinical trial was held at a single comprehensive cancer center to ascertain whether ARM-SAD can reduce the risk of BCRL, compared with standard AD, in patients with node-positive breast cancer. Whatever the type of breast surgery or adjuvant treatments planned, 130 patients with nodal involvement met our inclusion criteria: 65 were randomized for AD and 65 for ARM-SAD. Twelve months after surgery, a physiatrist assessed patients for BCRL and calculated the excess volume of the operated arm. Lymphoscintigraphy was used to assess drainage impairment. Self-reports of any impairment were also recorded. RESULTS: The difference in the incidence of BCRL between the two groups was 21% (95% CI, 3-37; p = .03). A significantly lower rate of BCRL after ARM-SAD was confirmed by a multimodal analysis that included the physiatrist's findings, excess arm volume, and lymphoscintigraphic findings, but this was not matched by a significant difference in patients' self-reports. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings encourage a change of surgical approach when AD is still warranted. ARM-SAD may be an alternative to standard AD to reduce the treatment-related morbidity.

Profile of women with lymphedema after breast cancer treatment / Perfil de mujeres con linfedema en post tratamiento de cáncer de mama / Perfil de mulheres com linfedema no pós-tratamento de câncer de mama

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the profile of women with lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective and quantitative study with data from medical records of women with lymphedema who began treatment between 2010 and 2015 in a rehabilitation center. An instrument was used for data collection to characterize the participants and analysis was performed by means of descriptive statistics, the Chi-Square test and Fisher's exact test. Results: 235 women with a mean age of 56.8 years were included, with an association between lymphedema and age (p = 0.016). It was observed that 76.6% of the sample had some comorbidity associated with breast cancer, especially hypertension (48.1%). They underwent radical surgery (60%), axillary lymphadenectomy (77.9%), sentinel lymph node biopsy (16.6%) and radiotherapy (74%). Treatments carried out for lymphedema were decongestant therapy and complementary treatments with 95.7% of adherence of women to therapies. Conclusion and implications for practice: Women with lymphedema presented risk factors such as radical surgery, axillary lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy, and good adherence to the required treatments of lymphedema. Knowing the profile of this population is crucial to the treatment choice.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar el perfil de mujeres con linfedema después del tratamiento del cáncer de mama. Métodos Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y cuantitativo con datos de fichas médicas de mujeres con linfedema que fueron atendidas entre 2010 y 2015 en un núcleo de rehabilitación. Para la recogida de datos fue utilizado instrumento para caracterizar a las participantes y el análisis fue hecho por medio de estadística descriptiva con las pruebas de Chi-Cuadrado y Fisher. Resultados: Fueron incluidas 235 mujeres con edad media de 56,8 años, habiéndose encontrado asociación entre linfedema y edad (p = 0,016). Se observó que 76,6% de la muestra presentó alguna comorbilidad asociada al cáncer de mama con destaque para la hipertensión (48,1%). Fueron sometidas a cirugía radical (60%), a linfadenectomía axilar (77,9%), a biopsia del linfonodo centinela (16,6%) y a radioterapia (74%). Los tratamientos para cuidados con el linfedema fueron la terapia descongestiva y tratamientos complementarios con adhesión de 95,7% de las mujeres a las terapias. Conclusión e Implicaciones para la práctica: Las mujeres con linfedema presentaron factores de riesgo como cirugía radical, linfadenectomía axilar y radioterapia; se encontró buena adhesión a los tratamientos necesarios para el control del linfedema. Conocer el perfil de esta población es primordial para seleccionar los tratamientos.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar o perfil de mulheres com linfedema após tratamento do câncer de mama. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e quantitativo com dados de prontuários de mulheres com linfedema que iniciaram atendimento entre 2010 e 2015 em um núcleo de reabilitação. Para coleta de dados foi utilizado instrumento para a caracterização das participantes e análise por meio de estatística descritiva e teste de Qui-Quadrado e Fisher. Resultados: Foram incluídas 235 mulheres com média de idade de 56,8 anos havendo associação entre linfedema e idade (p =0,016). Observou-se que 76,6% da amostra apresentaram alguma comorbidade associada ao câncer de mama com destaque para hipertensão (48,1%). Foram submetidas a cirurgia radical (60%), linfadenectomia axilar (77,9%), biopsia do linfonodo sentinela (16,6%) e radioterapia (74%). Os tratamentos para cuidados com o linfedema foram terapia descongestiva e tratamentos complementares com adesão de 95,7% das mulheres às terapias. Conclusão e Implicações para a prática: As mulheres com linfedema apresentaram fatores de risco como cirurgia radical, linfadenectomia axilar e radioterapia, e boa adesão aos tratamentos necessários para controle do linfedema. Conhecer o perfil dessa população é primordial para eleição de tratamentos.