This study revised articles from the MEDLINE (PubMed) databases and other research sources, with no time limit. To do so, the search strategy adopted was based on (P.I.C.O.) structured questions (from the initials “Patient”; “Intervention”; “Control” and “Outcome”. As keywords were used: Breast Neoplasm, Mastectomy, Mastectomy, Radical; Lymph Node Excision, Surgery, Lymphedema, Breast Cancer-re...

The application of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) as a part of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combination of IPC with manual lymph drainage (MLD) could improve CDP treatment outcomes in women with secondary lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. A randomized study was undertaken with 13 subjects r...

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 s...

Breast cancer-related lymphedema is one of the complications resulting from treatment. It is defined as arm oedema in the breast cancer patients caused by interruption of the flow of the axillary lymphatic system from surgery or radiation therapy, which results in the accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissue of the arm, with a decrease in tissue distensibility around the joints and an i...

OBJECTIVE Elephantiasis nostras is a rare complication in advanced lipo-lymphedema. While lipedema can be treated by liposuction and lymphedema by decongestive lymphatic therapy, elephantiasis nostras may need debulking surgery. METHODS We present 2 cases of advanced lipo-lymphedema complicated by elephantiasis nostras. After tumescent microcannular laser-assisted liposuction both patients un...

Dermatol Sinica, December 2005 From the Department of Dermatology, Taipei Medical University Hospital and Taipei Medical University Taipei Municipal WanFang Hospital* Accepted for publication: August 12, 2005 Reprint requests: Kuo-Liang Cheng, Department of Dermatology, Taipei Medical University Taipei Municipal Wan-Fang Hospital,* 111 Hsin-Long Rd, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. TEL: 886-2-...