Best-practice guidelines in assessment, risk reduction, management, and surveillance for post-breast cancer lymphedema

Jane M. Armer, Jennifer M. Hulett, Michael Bernas, Pam Ostby, Bob R. Stewart, Janice N. Cormier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (LE) is a progressive, chronic disease that affects millions of cancer survivors and primarily results from surgical lymphatic vessel and/or node removal and radiation therapy. Patient support and education in the importance of early detection is essential in helping health care providers detect lymphedema early, when there is the best chance of preventing progression. Improved imaging and surgical techniques have reduced the incidence of LE; however, effective risk-reduction and treatment have historically lacked the level of evidence necessary to standardize effective treatment. The purpose of this article is to report an extensive review of literature, including highlighted multidisciplinary studies within the past 3 years, in order to update best-practice guidelines in assessment, risk reduction, management, and surveillance for post-breast cancer lymphedema.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)134-144
Number of pages11
JournalCurrent Breast Cancer Reports
Volume5
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2013

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Combined decongestive therapy
  • Complementary
  • Compression garment
  • Exercise
  • Intermittent pneumatic compression pump
  • Limb volume
  • Lymphatic
  • Lymphedema
  • Management
  • Manual lymphatic drainage
  • Practices
  • Risk reduction
  • Surveillance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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