Manual Lymph Drainage and Lymphedema

More than one in five of breast cancer patients will develop breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). BCRL is a swelling that can occur in the arm, breast, or chest wall as a result of breast cancer surgery and/or radiation therapy.

Lymphedema is a common and frequently debilitating side effect of treatment for breast cancer. Studies have been limited and have not produced convincing evidence that various interventions are helpful. A new review article about those studies, “Conservative and Dietary Interventions for Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” is published in the March 15, 2011, issue of the journal Cancer.

It concludes that the “evidence suggests that compression garments and compression bandaging are effective in reducing limb lymphedema.” Regarding breast cancer, it concludes that “the addition of manual lymph drainage massage” provided a “statistically significant beneficial effect.” It also concludes that both exercise and weight loss are strategies that “improve lymphedema symptoms and reduce upper extremity lymphedema volume.”

Lymphedema was a problem for me after my lumpectomy and radiation. I believe Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) prevented my early stage case from progressing. I have had two recurrences which required more MLD sessions to reduce the swelling and tenderness. These have been followed by long periods of controlled lymphedema.

I know many women who firmly believe that manual lymph drainage has been helpful in decreasing the pain and swelling caused by their lymphedema. For most, it is an ongoing process of attempting to control the problem.

To Learn More about Lymphadema- please read the posts linked below-

I would love to hear from women who are dealing with lymphedema. Was manual lymph drainage helpful? Too expensive? Covered by insurance? How does lymphedema affect your life?

Mary Miller- Breast Cancer- Profile in Courage

Conservative and dietary interventions for cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

“The findings support the use of compression garments and compression bandaging for reducing lymphedema volume in upper and lower extremity cancer-related lymphedema. Specific to breast cancer, a statistically significant, clinically small beneficial effect was found from the addition of manual lymph drainage massage to compression therapy for upper extremity lymphedema volume…”

Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema following breast cancer treatment

“More than one in five of breast cancer patients will develop breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). BCRL is a swelling that can occur in the arm, breast, or chest wall as a result of breast cancer surgery and/or radiation therapy. BCRL can negatively impact comfort, function, and quality of life.

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a hands-on therapy that is commonly used for BCRL and often as part of complex decongestive therapy (CDT). CDT consists of MLD, compression bandaging, lymph-reducing exercises (LREs), and skin care.

The Review Questions

Is MLD safe and effective in treating BCRL?

Study Characteristics

We found six trials published through May 2013, totaling 208 participants.

Key Results

When women were treated with a course of intensive compression bandaging, their swelling went down about 30% to 37%. When MLD was added to the intensive course of compression bandaging, their swelling went down another 7.11%. Thus, MLD may offer a benefit when added to compression bandaging.

Examining this finding more closely showed that this significant reduction benefit was observed in people with mild-to-moderate lymphedema when compared to participants with moderate-to-severe lymphedema. Thus, our findings suggest that individuals with mild-to-moderate BCRL are the ones who may benefit from adding MLD to an intensive course of treatment with compression bandaging. This finding, however, needs to be confirmed by further research.

When women were given a standard elastic compression sleeve plus MLD and compared to women who received a standard compression sleeve plus a non-MLD treatment, results were mixed (sometimes favoring MLD and sometimes favoring neither treatment.)

One-year follow-up suggests that once the swelling had been reduced, participants were likely to keep their swelling down if they continued to use a custom-made sleeve.

MLD is safe and well tolerated…”

Conservative and dietary interventions for cancer-related lymphedema

Compression garment (CG)

Compression bandaging (CB)

Compression systems: specialized garments

Electrophysical modalities (eg, low-level laser therapy, electrical stimulation)

Elevation

Exercise

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) pumps

Manual lymph drainage (MLD) massage

Self-massage (SM) techniques

Decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT)

Dietary/weight loss intervention

RESULTS

We identified 157 papers, of which 48 were considered potentially relevant. Independent review of these 48 papers led to the inclusion of 25 studies involving 1018 participants.13-37 Studies were carried out in 14 different countries/regions worldwide. Study methodology varied significantly, particularly in regard to the chosen intervention and comparison treatment (Table 2). Of the included studies, 2 authors provided additional information on study methods16, 18 and 1 author provided additional data for use in the meta-analysis.18 Kappa statistics for agreement between the reviewers on the inclusion of trials and quality score was 0.7 and 0.9, respectively…”

Diagnosed with Cancer? Your two greatest challenges are understanding cancer and understanding possible side effects from chemo and radiation. Knowledge is Power!

Manual Lymph Drainage and Lymphedema

More than one in five of breast cancer patients will develop breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). BCRL is a swelling that can occur in the arm, breast, or chest wall as a result of breast cancer surgery and/or radiation therapy.

Conservative and dietary interventions for cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema following breast cancer treatment

Conservative and dietary interventions for cancer-related lymphedema

RESULTS

Leave a Comment:

4 comments

Popular posts

Multiple Myeloma Diet

Multiple Myeloma Survivor- A Different kind of Second Opinion-

C-B-D Enhances Velcade (BORT)

Are Endometrial Polyps Overtreated?