Upper limb exercise and breast cancer related lymphedema / 国际肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer related lymphedema is the accumulation of interstitial fluid due to the lymphatic fluid load exceeds its transport ability as a consequence of the lesion of lymphatic structure.It mainly presents as swelling of the affected limb,a feeling of heaviness or tightness in the limb,aching and restricted limb motion.Its incidence is related to surgery,chemical therapy,obesity,hypertention as well as the alteration of particular genes.To prevent the occurrence and exacerbation of lymphedema,patients should avoid the overuse of the affected limb.While limb exercise step by step can solve part of this problem,but not all,doctor should also take both the patterns of exercise and risk factors that patients expose into consideration,then make a individualized exercise plan,evaluate the condition precisely,in order to achieve the best treatment purposes.