Reliability of L-Dex Scores for Assessment of Unilateral Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Objective: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a common complication of breast cancer treatment that may result in swelling of the affected arm due to compromised lymphatic function. Implementing a screening program and early intervention for BCRL are important for effective management. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is a commonly used tool for assessing BCRL. This study aimed to compare different normative ranges for BIS L-Dex scores in the detection of BCRL. Materials and Methods: Data from 158 women with clinically ascribed and indocyanine green confirmed BCRL were analysed. BIS measurements were obtained using an ImpediMed standing device, and L-Dex scores were calculated using published normative ranges for healthy individuals. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the concordance between different reference ranges in classifying individuals with lymphedema. Results: The study found that L-Dex scores calculated using different normative ranges were highly correlated and essentially interchangeable in detecting BCRL. Approximately 90% of participants exceeded the L-Dex threshold for lymphedema, with minimal discrepancies between reference ranges. False negative rates were observed in some participants, likely due to early-stage BCRL with minimal lymph accumulation. Conclusion: The findings suggest that BIS L-Dex scores are a valid indicator of BCRL, regardless of specific normative ranges used. Detection rates of clinically confirmed BCRL were consistent across different reference ranges, with minimal discrepancies. BIS remains a valuable tool for early detection and monitoring of BCRL. Future research should focus on longitudinal assessments and use of change in L-Dex scores for lymphedema monitoring and progression.

Comparison of Volume Measurements and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Using A Stand-on Device for Assessment of Unilateral Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Objective: Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) may be assessed through objective measurement of limb swelling with common techniques including volumetric measurement using a tape measure or perometry, and measurement of extracellular water using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS). This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a stand-on BIS device for detection of BCRL, introduce a novel graphical method to compare volumetric and BIS methods alongside traditional specificity and sensitivity analysis, and determine and compare BIS thresholds with those published previously. Materials and Methods: Female participants with indocyanine green lymphography confirmed unilateral arm lymphedema (n = 197) and healthy controls (n = 267) were assessed using a cross-sectional study design. BIS and volumetric measures were obtained in a single session. Results: The BIS lymphedema index (L-Dex) method had a significantly higher sensitivity than the excess volume approach (area under the curve = 0.832 vs. 0.649, p = 0.0001). A threshold of L-Dex 6.5 had a higher true positive rate (70.6%) than L-Dex 10 (68.5%) although false positive rate increased from 0.4% to 2.6%. A threshold of 5% excess volume improved the true positive rate (68.5%) compared with 10% excess volume (49.7%) however the false positive rate increased to an unacceptable 47%. The L-Dex ranges in this study were not significantly different from previously published ranges. Conclusion: BIS was superior for identifying BCRL compared with volume measurements, reaffirming the value of this technique. However, it is recommended that BIS be used in conjunction with comprehensive evaluation of symptoms and clinical presentation. The proposed graphical method provides a simple and easily interpretable approach to compare and define concordance between the two commonly used methods for BCRL assessment namely limb volume and BIS L-Dex indices. The existing BIS (L-Dex) thresholds for presence of BCRL were also validated.

Effects of Body Positioning When Assessing Lymphedema of the Lower Limb Using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy.

Background: Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) measurements are conventionally performed in supine position with a lead device attached to gel-backed electrodes, and more recently, with a stand-on device that uses fixed stainless-steel electrodes under the hands and feet. The aim of this study was to assess and compare BIS measurements made in supine, sitting, and standing positions using lead and stand-on impedance devices in participants with and without unilateral leg lymphedema. Materials and Methods: Participants with self-ascribed unilateral leg lymphedema (n = 24) and healthy controls (n = 71) were recruited using a cross-sectional study design. Triplicate BIS measurements were taken for each device in each position. Results: Impedance measurements with either device were reliable with coefficient of variation of 0.6% or lower. The magnitude of mean differences in absolute impedance values between devices were between 1% and 6% dependent on condition. L-Dex scores between the two devices were highly correlated (r = 0.82) and ∼70% of participants in the lymphedema group were classified as having lymphedema using the recommended cut-off with either device. There was no significant interleg difference of controls using the lead device; however, small, but significant differences (p = 0.0001) were found when using the stand-on device. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that reliable impedance measurements of the legs can be made with either device in lying, sitting, or standing positions. However, data between the devices were not directly interchangeable. Although the risk of misidentification was small, reference ranges appropriate to the device and measurement position should be used when converting data to L-Dex scores.

Axillary Treatment and Chronic Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Implications for Prospective Surveillance and Intervention From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The PREVENT randomized trial assessed progression to chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (cBCRL) after intervention triggered by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) or tape measurement (TM). This secondary analysis identifies cBCRL risk factors on the basis of axillary treatment. METHODS: Between June 2014 and September 2018, 881 patients received sentinel node biopsy (SNB; n = 651), SNB + regional node irradiation (RNI; n = 58), axillary lymph node dissection (ALND; n = 85), or ALND + RNI (n = 87). The primary outcome was the 3-year cBCRL rate requiring complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 32.8 months (IQR, 21-34.3), 69 of 881 patients (7.8%) developed cBCRL. For TM, 43 of 438 (9.8%) developed cBCRL versus 26 of 443 (5.9%) for BIS (P = .028). The 3-year actuarial risk of cBCRL was 4.4% (95% CI, 2.7 to 6.1), 4.2% (95% CI, 0 to 9.8), 25.8% (95% CI, 15.8 to 35.8), and 26% (95% CI, 15.3 to 36.7). Rural residence increased the risk in all groups. For SNB, neither RNI (SNB, 4.1% v SNB + RNI, 3.4%) nor taxane (4.4%) increased cBCRL, but risk was higher for patients with a BMI of ≥30 (6.3%). For SNB + RNI, taxane use (5.7%) or supraclavicular fossa (SCF) radiation (5.0%) increased cBCRL. For ALND patients, BMI ≥25 or chemotherapy increased cBCRL. For ALND + RNI, most patients received SCF radiation and taxanes, so no additional risk factors emerged. CONCLUSION: The extent of axillary treatment is a significant risk factor for cBCRL. Increasing BMI, rurality, SCF radiation, and taxane chemotherapy also increase risk. These results have implications for a proposed risk-based lymphedema screening, early intervention, and treatment program.

Differentiation of lipoedema from bilateral lower limb lymphoedema by imaging assessment of indocyanine green lymphography.

Lipoedema is characterized by disproportionate painful fat accumulation mostly in the lower limbs. The presence of lymphoedema in lipoedema remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the presence or absence of lymphoedema in the lower limbs of women with lipoedema using indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography. A cross-sectional retrospective study was undertaken in women with a clinical diagnosis of lipoedema whose lower limbs were examined with ICG lymphography. MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) ICG staging was used to determine lymphoedema presence and severity. Patient characteristics, ICG lymphography findings, Stemmer sign, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, limb volume and bioimpedance spectroscopy measures were recorded. Forty women with lipoedema underwent ICG lymphography for the lower limbs from January 2018 to July 2022. Thirty-four women (85.0%) were determined by ICG lymphography as MDACC ICG Stage 0 representing normal lymphatics. Of the six women who demonstrated dermal backflow on ICG lymphography, all were determined as ICG Stage 1, four had localized traumatic dermal backflow area at their ankles, one had previously diagnosed with primary lymphoedema and one was classified as lipoedema stage 4. ICG lymphography findings suggested the absence of lymphoedema in a clear majority of women with lower limb lipoedema.

Risk factors for breast cancer-related lymphedema in patients undergoing 3 years of prospective surveillance with intervention.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate risk factors (treatment-related, comorbidities, and lifestyle) for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) within the context of a Prospective Surveillance and Early Intervention (PSEI) model of care for subclinical BCRL. METHODS: The parent randomized clinical trial assigned patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer to PSEI with either bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) or tape measurement (TM). Surgical, systemic and radiation treatments, comorbidities, and lifestyle factors were recorded. Detection of subclinical BCRL (change from baseline of either BIS L-Dex ≥6.5 or tape volume ≥ 5% and < 10%) triggered an intervention with compression therapy. Volume change from baseline ≥10% indicated progression to chronic lymphedema and need for complex decongestive physiotherapy. In this secondary analysis, multinomial logistic regressions including main and interaction effects of the study group and risk factors were used to test for factor associations with outcomes (no lymphedema, subclinical lymphedema, progression to chronic lymphedema after intervention, progression to chronic lymphedema without intervention). Post hoc tests of significant interaction effects were conducted using Bonferroni-corrected alphas of .008; otherwise, an alpha of .05 was used for statistical significance. RESULTS: The sample (n = 918; TM = 457; BIS = 461) was female with a median age of 58.4 years. Factors associated with BCRL risk included axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) (p < .001), taxane-based chemotherapy (p < .001), regional nodal irradiation (RNI) (p ≤ .001), body mass index >30 (p = .002), and rurality (p = .037). Mastectomy, age, hypertension, diabetes, seroma, smoking, and air travel were not associated with BCRL risk. CONCLUSIONS: Within the context of 3 years of PSEI for subclinical lymphedema, variables of ALND, taxane-based chemotherapy, RNI, body mass index >30, and rurality increased risk.

Retrograde lymph flow in the lymphatic vessels in limb lymphedema.

OBJECTIVE: Retrograde movement of lymph owing to damaged and/or incompetent valves in the lymphatic vessels has been considered a pathological feature of lymphedema. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of retrograde lymph flow and the characteristics of patients with this condition using indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography. METHODS: An audit of 679 patients with upper or lower limb swelling who underwent ICG lymphography was undertaken over a 4-year period. Harvey's technique was applied to identify retrograde flow in the lymph collecting vessel during ICG lymphography. The characteristics of patients with retrograde lymph flow were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (3.7%; lower limb, n = 19; upper limb, n = 2) were identified as having retrograde flow in lymph collecting vessels out of 566 confirmed lymphedema patients (lower limb, n = 275; upper limb, n = 291). Of the two patients with upper limb lymphedema (ULLE), one had a short segment of retrograde lymph flow in the forearm. The other patient with ULLE and one patient with lower limb lymphedema (LLLE) were previously diagnosed with lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome. Of the remaining 18 patients with LLLE and retrograde lymph flow, nine had initiating insect bites with lymphangitis and three had palpable benign enlarged inguinal lymph nodes evident before lower limb swelling onset. None had cancer-related LLLE. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde lymph flow with valve incompetence in the lymph-collecting vessels was a rare finding in ULLE and a relatively uncommon finding in LLLE, contradicting the conventional understanding of pathological changes in lymphedema. ICG lymphography identified anticipated retrograde lymph flow in two patients with lymphedema distichiasis. In the remaining patients, retrograde lymph flow may have resulted from toxic or asymptomatic lymphangitis but there was no association with secondary cancer-related lymphedema. These findings have implication for conservative management as well as lymphovenous anastomosis surgery where both ends of a transected lymph collecting vessel would be potential targets for anastomoses.

Staging Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema with Bioimpedance Spectroscopy.

Background: A number of different classification schemes, with generally similar but not identical criteria, exist to describe the different stages of lymphedema. Criteria may include both subjective and objective assessments. The present study investigated whether bioelectrical impedance parameters had utility in staging breast cancer-related lymphedema. Methods and Results: Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis was used to assign women (n = 221) at risk of or with clinically ascribed lymphedema to clusters sharing similar impedance characteristics. Five clusters could be identified with each cluster containing proportions of participants that closely aligned with staging allocation, according to International Society of Lymphology criteria, at initial presentation. The use of cluster analysis for tracking of lymphedema progression or response to treatment is demonstrated. Conclusions: No single assessment provides definitive assignment of a patient to lymphedema stage. Staging is usually achieved by identifying and allocating a patient to a lymphedema stage shared by a group of patients with similar clinical signs. Cluster analysis of impedance data provides similar groupings of patients and could provide a useful adjunct objective assessment for staging lymphedema.

Prospective surveillance model in the home for breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of delivering a prospective surveillance model in the home over 6 months for women at high risk of developing lymphoedema. METHODS: A single-group, intervention study recruited 20 women who had surgical and medical treatment for confirmed node-positive invasive breast cancer and therefore at high risk of developing arm lymphoedema. Participants received a package including Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) monitoring, lymphoedema education and support to promote self-management and physical activity. RESULTS: Participants adhered to BIS monitoring 74% of the time, and felt extremely confident in using the device. By 6 months, mean BIS L-Dex scores had increased from 3.5 (SD 5.6) to 8.4 (SD 11.1); five women (25%) who experienced > + 6.5 increase in L-Dex score were fitted with a compression garment. Self-reported symptoms and distress decreased by 0.4 out of 10 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.7); number of self-management strategies used increased by 0.6 (95% CI 0.1 to 1.2); and planned exercise increased by 2.8 h/week (95% CI 0.4 to 5.2). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a prospective surveillance model of care in the home with BIS is feasible and associated with increased self-management. A Phase II randomised trial is warranted as well as research exploring the costs associated with implementing this model of care for high-risk individuals.

Personalizing Conservative Lymphedema Management Using Indocyanine Green-Guided Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

Background: The Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment Program (ALERT) at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia is one of the flagship programs of Australia's first fully integrated academic health sciences centre, MQ Health. The aim of this study was to describe our findings of compensatory drainage demonstrated by indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography in cancer-related upper and lower limb lymphedema and how this may be translated into clinical practice. Methods and Results: Retrospective data from 339 patients aged between 18 and 90 years with secondary cancer-related unilateral or bilateral lymphedema of the upper or lower limb who underwent ICG lymphography assessment at the ALERT clinic between February 2017 and March 2020 were analyzed. In patients with upper limb lymphedema, the ipsilateral axilla was the most frequent drainage region (74.9%), followed by clavicular (41.8%) and parasternal (11.3%). For patients with mild upper limb lymphedema, 94.4% drained to the ipsilateral axilla. No patients drained to the ipsilateral inguinal region. For lower limb lymphedema, drainage to the ipsilateral inguinal was most common (52.3%), followed by contralateral inguinal (30.7%), popliteal (26.1%), and gluteal (21.6%) regions. Three main patterns of superficial lymphatic compensation were identified based on which anatomical structure carried lymph fluid. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) was used to facilitate movement of the dye. A light/effleurage technique was sufficient to move the dye through patent lymphatic vessels; a slow and firmer technique was required to move the dye through areas of bridging dermal backflow. Conclusion: The introduction of ICG lymphography to our program and its use in guiding personalized conservative management plans, including facilitative MLD techniques, has translated into clinical practice and changed research and educational priorities within the ALERT program.

The Risk of Subclinical Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema by the Extent of Axillary Surgery and Regional Node Irradiation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the risk of subclinical breast cancer-related lymphedema (sBCRL) using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) or tape measure (TM) by the extent of axillary surgery and regional nodal irradiation (RNI). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients were randomized to surveillance with TM or BIS. A BIS ≥6.5 L-Dex units or TM volume change ≥5 and <10% above presurgical baselines "triggered" sBCRL. The incidence of sBCRL by sentinel node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with or without RNI was examined for 484 patients. Radiation was categorized as "limited RNI" (axilla level I/II only) or "extensive RNI" (axilla level III or supraclavicular fossa with or without level I/II). RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 20.5 months, 109 of 498 patients (21.9%) triggered sBCRL (BIS 13.5% vs TM 25.6%; P <.001). In patients not receiving RNI, BIS triggered 12.9% of patients undergoing SNB and 25.0% undergoing ALND (P = .18). Extensive RNI significantly increased triggering with BIS versus no RNI after sentinel node biopsy (SNB; 33.3% vs 12.9%; P = .03) but not ALND (30.8% vs 25.0%; P = .69). Triggering by TM was greater than 25% for most subgroups and was inferior to BIS in discriminating the risk of sBCRL by utilization of RNI or axillary surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The lower triggering rates with BIS and its better discrimination of the risk of sBCRL by receipt and type of RNI compared with TM support its use for posttreatment surveillance to detect sBCRL and to initiate early intervention. The risk of sBCRL increased with more extensive axillary treatment. Patients having ALND or extensive RNI require close surveillance for BCRL. Longer follow-up is required to determine rates of progression to clinical lymphedema.

Manual lymphatic drainage treatment for lymphedema: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage is widely accepted as a conservative treatment for lymphedema. This systematic review aims to examine the methodologies used in recent research and evaluate the effectiveness of MLD for those at-risk of or living with lymphedema. METHODS: The electronic databases Embase, PubMed, CINAHL Complete and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched using relevant terms. Studies comparing MLD with another intervention or control in patients at-risk of or with lymphedema were included. Studies were critically appraised with the PEDro scale. RESULTS: Seventeen studies with a total of 867 female and two male participants were included. Only studies examining breast cancer-related lymphedema were identified. Some studies reported positive effects of MLD on volume reduction, quality of life and symptom-related outcomes compared with other treatments, while other studies reported no additional benefit of MLD as a component of complex decongestive therapy. In patients at-risk, MLD was reported to reduce incidence of lymphedema in some studies, while others reported no such benefits. CONCLUSIONS: The reviewed articles reported conflicting findings and were often limited by methodological issues. This review highlights the need for further experimental studies on the effectiveness of MLD in lymphedema. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: There is some evidence that MLD in early stages following breast cancer surgery may help prevent progression to clinical lymphedema. MLD may also provide additional benefits in volume reduction for mild lymphedema. However, in moderate to severe lymphedema, MLD may not provide additional benefit when combined with complex decongestive therapy.

Body Positional Effects on Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Measurements for Lymphedema Assessment of the Arm.

Background: Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) measurements have conventionally been performed using a device that uses gel-backed electrodes with the patient in a supine position. More recently, impedance devices that use stainless steel electrodes with the patient in a standing position have become available. The aim of this study was to assess and compare BIS measurements made in three different body positions using two different impedance devices (lead device and stand-on device) in women with and without arm lymphedema. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit two cohorts of women, healthy controls (n = 47) and those who had been diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 53) and were either at risk of (n = 14) or with unilateral arm lymphedema (n = 39). BIS measurements were taken three times in each position for each device. Results: Impedance measurements were reliably made using either a lead or stand-on device with a coefficient of variation being 0.6% or lower. Absolute impedance measurements for the stand-on device were larger than the comparable lead device values due to the difference in electrode position, but were highly correlated (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001). Interarm impedance ratios and L-Dex scores were slightly (3.1% equivalence), but significantly different. Conclusion: The findings support impedance measurements being made reliably using either the lead or stand-on device, representing supine and upright measurement positions, respectively. Data between devices were, however, not directly interchangeable.

Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer for Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Can Potentially Reduce the Burden of Ongoing Conservative Management.

Background: Vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) microsurgery is conducted in selected specialist lymphatic programs as a surgical treatment option for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) with variation in treatment outcomes. Methods and Results: Ten patients with BCRL underwent VLNT from 2012 to 2015. Donor sites were the inguinal (n = 6) or supraclavicular fossa/neck (n = 4) regions and recipient sites were the axilla (n = 6) or elbow regions (n = 4). Outcomes included changes in limb volume and extracellular fluid ratios, postoperative garment use, number of cellulitis episodes, and self-reported symptom improvement. At a mean follow-up of 46 months from surgery (range: 28-66 months), the excess volume in the affected arm had reduced (n = 4) or remained stable (n = 1) for 5 of 10 patients (50%) (mean change: -106.4 mL, range: -515.5 to +69.6 mL). Four of these five patients had also reduced (n = 3) or discontinued (n = 1) wearing compression garments and three reported a reduction in episodes of cellulitis. The remaining five patients had an increase of over 100 mL in postoperative excess volume (mean change: 295.8 mL, range: 142.1-382.8 mL). Three of these five patients reported noncompliance with compression garments. Despite the increase in limb volume, some patients reported softness in swelling (n = 3) and better response to conservative treatment (n = 1). Conclusion: Our results warrant continuation of VLNT as a surgical treatment option for patients with BCRL and show that the burden of conservative management such as wearing garments can be reduced over time for some patients. Longer term follow-up with standardized measures across all centers is required to further investigate VLNT.

Early surveillance is associated with less incidence and severity of breast cancer-related lymphedema compared with a traditional referral model of care.

BACKGROUND: Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) has enabled the early identification of breast cancer-related lymphedema. In this study, differences in health service metrics and in the incidence of breast cancer-related lymphedema are evaluated in an early surveillance model of care compared with a traditional referral model of care. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of data from 753 women who underwent BIS measures between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2016, 188 women were assigned to the "early surveillance" group if they began lymphedema monitoring presurgery (n = 121) or within 90 days postsurgery (n = 67), and 285 women were assigned to the "traditional referral" group if they began monitoring after 90 days postsurgery. Health service metrics were calculated as the time to the first BIS measure after 90 days postsurgery, the median follow-up, and the number of health care visits. Lymphedema was diagnosed based on BIS measures. RESULTS: Women in the early surveillance group received lymphedema care significantly earlier than those in the traditional referral group. However, there was no difference in the number of visits per year to the clinic between groups. Significantly more women in the traditional referral group were diagnosed with clinical lymphedema (stage I-III, 39 % vs 14%; P < .001) and with greater severity (stage II-III, 24%) compared with those in the early surveillance group (4%). CONCLUSIONS: The current findings support the adoption of an early prospective surveillance model of care using BIS for the early detection and management of breast cancer-related lymphedema.

"You're naked, you're vulnerable": Sexual well-being and body image of women with lower limb lymphedema.

Lower-limb lymphedema is an incurable illness manifesting as visible swelling enlarging the leg(s) and/or feet, buttocks, and genitals. This study used semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to explore sexual well-being among women with primary (congenital) lymphedema (n=11) or secondary lymphedema associated with gynecological cancer (n=8). Five themes (subthemes) summarized women's responses, with Attractiveness and Confidence (Publicly Unattractive, Privately Unconfident, Lymphedema or Aging?) describing women's central concern. These body image-related concerns accounted for sexual well-being in association with Partner Support (Availability of Support, Languages of Support, Fears About Support) and the degree of Functional Interruptions (Lymphedema in Context, Enduring Impacts, Overcoming Interruptions). Successful Lymphedema Coping (Control, Acceptance) and self-perceived ability to fulfill a valued Sexual Role also affected sexual well-being. Few differences between women with primary versus secondary lymphedema were evident. Lymphedema clinicians should screen for sexual concerns and have referral options available.

Liposuction for Advanced Lymphedema: A Multidisciplinary Approach for Complete Reduction of Arm and Leg Swelling.

PURPOSE: This research describes and evaluates a liposuction surgery and multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach for advanced lymphedema of the upper and lower extremities. METHODS: A prospective clinical study was conducted at an Advanced Lymphedema Assessment Clinic (ALAC) comprised of specialists in plastic surgery, rehabilitation, imaging, oncology, and allied health, at Macquarie University, Australia. Between May 2012 and 31 May 2014, a total of 104 patients attended the ALAC. Eligibility criteria for liposuction included (i) unilateral, non-pitting, International Society of Lymphology stage II/III lymphedema; (ii) limb volume difference greater than 25 %; and (iii) previously ineffective conservative therapies. Of 55 eligible patients, 21 underwent liposuction (15 arm, 6 leg) and had at least 3 months postsurgical follow-up (85.7 % cancer-related lymphedema). Liposuction was performed under general anesthesia using a published technique, and compression garments were applied intraoperatively and advised to be worn continuously thereafter. Limb volume differences, bioimpedance spectroscopy (L-Dex), and symptom and functional measurements (using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale) were taken presurgery and 4 weeks postsurgery, and then at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postsurgery. RESULTS: Mean presurgical limb volume difference was 45.1 % (arm 44.2 %; leg 47.3 %). This difference reduced to 3.8 % (arm 3.6 %; leg 4.3 %) by 6 months postsurgery, a mean percentage volume reduction of 89.6 % (arm 90.2 %; leg 88.2 %) [p < 0.001]. All patients had improved symptoms and function. Bioimpedance spectroscopy showed reduced but ongoing extracellular fluid, consistent with the underlying lymphatic pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Liposuction is a safe and effective option for carefully selected patients with advanced lymphedema. Assessment, treatment, and follow-up by a multidisciplinary team is essential.

Sexual concerns of women diagnosed with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

PURPOSE: Lymphedema is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment that may negatively impact on a woman's physical and psychological well-being. This study aimed to understand the impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema on women's sexual functioning, and to identify key concerns of these women regarding sexual issues. METHODS: Purposive sampling recruited 17 women aged 38-67 years with mild to severe lymphedema. Telephone interviews concerning sexual issues were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis undertaken. RESULTS: Women perceived sexual concerns arising from lymphedema to exacerbate concerns arising from breast cancer. Four interrelated factors determined the extent of lymphedema's sexual impact: (a) swelling severity and location, (b) needing to wear a compression garment, (c) body image concerns raised by lymphedema and breast cancer treatment, and (d) their sexual partner's acceptance and supportiveness. In particular, a supportive partner was instrumental in assisting women to overcome sexual issues caused by severe swelling and/or body image concerns. Few women reported being asked about sexual issues by any health professional, and most women indicated that they were unwilling to discuss sexual concerns with health professionals, friends, or family. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphedema had the potential to accentuate sexual issues caused by breast cancer, but most women were reluctant to discuss issues with anyone other than their partner. These findings are relevant to health professionals designing breast cancer psychosexual interventions and future research addressing lymphedema-specific sexual concerns.

Factors affecting the preoperative and postoperative extracellular fluid in the arm on the side of breast cancer: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To explore what factors affect volume of extracellular fluid (ECF) in the arm on the side of surgery pre- and postoperatively and to determine the value of knowing preoperative ECF volume for diagnosis of lymphedema postoperatively. METHODS AND RESULTS: Women (N=516) with early breast cancer were assessed preoperatively and within 4 weeks postoperatively. Baseline measures included inter-arm ECF ratio, side of cancer, number of nodes involved, and other individual characteristics. Postoperative assessment included inter-limb ECF ratio and details from surgery. The postoperative ECF ratio was categorized as to whether it exceeded previously established thresholds, and the change in ECF was categorized as to whether it exceeded 0.1. Linear regression identified which factors explained the variance for preoperative ECF ratio and the change in ratio. Chi square analysis compared whether women categorized using thresholds were the same as those whose ratio increased >0.1 postoperatively. Postoperative ECF ratio was significantly higher than the preoperative ratio (p<0.001). Women whose ECF ratio exceeded previously established thresholds were not the same as those whose ratio increased >0.1 postoperatively (p<0.001). Only the side of surgery explained the preoperative ECF measure; extent of surgery and actual weight explained the change in ECF ratio. CONCLUSION: The ECF ratio preoperatively is not affected by nodal involvement. The change in ECF ratio is affected by the extent of surgery and body mass. Change from preoperative ECF ratio did identify more women at risk for lymphedema than reliance postoperatively on thresholds, supporting preoperative measures.