• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.357-366
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study were to examine the incidence of lymphedema and to compare to physiological and psychosocial symptoms between breast cancer patients with lymphedema and without lymphedema. Method: Four hundreds fifty women with breast cancer receiving mastectomy were recruited from two out-patient breast clinics of A and S university hospitals in Seoul, Korea from October, 2004 to May, 2005. Lymphedema was defined by circumferential measurement. Differences greater than 2cm between the affected arm and normal arm were considered to be lymphedema. A descriptive design was used for this study and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test. Results: Lymphedema developed in 112(24.9%) of the 450 subjects. Subjects with lymphedema reported more severe sensation change of arm and more depression and confusion than subjects without lymphedema. Range of motion of shoulder as a physical indicator and social support, however, were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Lymphedema is recognized as an unpleasant and uncomfortable consequence of breast cancer-related treatment. Therefore, more research is needed to evaluate the impact of lymphedema on quality of life in patients with lymphedema and the efficacy of nursing intervention.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.534-542
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• 2021

Background During the early stages of lymphedema, active physiologic surgical treatment can be applied. However, lymphedema patients often have limited knowledge and misconceptions regarding lymphedema and surgical treatment. We analyzed the correlations between lymphedema severity and surgical technique according to patients' awareness of surgical treatment for secondary upper extremity lymphedema (UEL). Methods Patients with UEL diagnosed between December 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. At the time of their presentation to our hospital for the treatment of lymphedema, they were administered a questionnaire about lymphedema and lymphedema surgery. Based on the results, patients were classified as being aware or unaware of surgical treatment. Lymphedema severity was classified according to the arm dermal backflow (ADB) stage and the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) stage based on indocyanine green lymphography conducted at presentation. Surgical techniques were compared between the two groups. Results Patients who were aware of surgical treatment had significantly lower initial ADB and MDACC stages (P<0.05) and more frequently underwent physiologic procedures than excisional procedures (P=0.003). Conclusions If patients are actively educated regarding surgical treatment of lymphedema, physiologic procedures may be performed during the early stages of UEL.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.87-93
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) between breast cancer patients with lymphedema and without using the SF-36 (Korean version). Fifty-three consecutive, unselected patients who underwent treatment for breast cancer patients with lymphedema and 37 patients without lymphedema from August 4, 2004 to October 13, 2005 were interviewed and asked to complete the SF-36. These data were used to test the hypothesis that breast cancer patients with lymphedema experience impaired quality of life relative to their control group. The lymphedema group scored poorer than the control group on six of the eight subscales as well as the physical component summary scale of the SF-36 (p<.05). Only bodily pain didn't show statistical difference (p>.05). Breast cancer patients with lymphedema appear to experience problems in multiple quality of life domains compared with without lymphedema group. These findings demonstrate the need for interventions to improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients with lymphedema.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Lymphedema is a frequent complication after the treatment of various cancers, particularly breast cancer, gynecological cancers, melanomas, and other skin and urological cancers. Lymphedema patients have chronic swelling of the affected extremity, recurrent infections, limited mobility and decreased quality of life. Once lymphedema develops, it is usually progressive. Over time, lymphedema leads to fat deposition and subsequent fibrosis of the surrounding tissues. However, there is no cure for lymphedema. Recently, the development of microsurgery has led to introduction of new surgical techniques for lymphedema, such as vascularized lymph node transfer. We report here the latest trends in the surgical treatment of lymphedema, as well as diagnosis and conventional treatments of lymphedema.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.21-33
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between lymphedema self-care management and quality of life in breast cancer patients with mastectomy and lymphedema. Methods: One hundred and eighty-six breast cancer patients with mastectomy and lymphedema (n=186) were recruited at a medical center located in Seoul. The levels of lymphedema self-care management and quality of life were measured by the scale for measurement of practice in lymphedema self-care management, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ BR23), respectively. Data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 program. Results: There were statistically significant correlations between lymphedema self-care management and general health status/quality of life in mastectomy patients with lymphedema (r=.30, p<.001). The physical function score of cancer related function scale (r=-.15, p=.033), fatigue score of cancer related symptom scale (r=.15, p=.036), systemic side effect score of breast cancer related symptom scale (r=.45, p=.034), and upset by hair loss (r=.27, p=.004) were significantly correlated with quality of life. Conclusion: The findings suggest that these significant factors should be considered when caring for lymphedema patients.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.129-132
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• 2020

Fracture is uncommon cause of lymphedema. The mechanism of lymphedema progression is still unknown, but disruption of the lymphatic system during and after fracture might be involved. In contrast, breast cancer surgery is a common cause of lymphedema and is usually caused by the removal of axillary lymph nodes. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has been adopted in early breast cancer to reduce the risk of lymphedema. Thus, the incidence of lymphedema in SNB was lowered. However, less than 10% of SNB patients are still diagnosed with lymphedema, but it is known that it took years to diagnose. Recently, we encountered atypical lymphedema occurred after breast cancer surgery with SNB. Symptoms started earlier than usual and were more severe. Interestingly, she has a history of a proximal radial fracture on the same side of SNB. We thought there could be a relationship between the acceleration of breast cancer-related lymphedema and fracture.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.7.1-7.3
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• 2023

Objective: Ortho-Cellular Nutrition Therapy (OCNT) Experiential treatment for Breast Cancer, lymphedema Patients Methods: The patient is a Korean woman aged 50 years. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, the right lymph node was removed, resulting in lymphedema and pain. Results: After nutritional therapy, lymphedema improved. Conclusion: The patient's lymphedema improved, and she regained her daily vitality.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.103-109
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• 2009

Purpose: Cases of male external genitalia lymphedema are relatively uncommon in the clinical physical therapy field. Of more than two thousand clinical cases treated by the author in the lymphedema treatment center, only 4~5 cases of male external genitalia lymphedema were encountered. The present case report presents the experience and treatment results of male external genitalia lymphedema from urological cancer. Method: This case was a 47-year-old man, who was treated with complex decongestive physical therapy consisting of manual lymph drainage, compression bandage (including the external genitalia), remedial exercise, skin care. Result: The results were relatively good. The clinical experience would suggest that early treatment and education can reduce the external genitalia lymphedema. However, the treatment efficacy remains limited. Therefore, early treatment is vital for more successful outcomes. Conclusion: The relief of symptoms and a decrease in male external genitalia lymphedema may be the best result from long-term conservative management.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.177-179
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• 2003

Lymphedema is the most common of complications after surgery and radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer or cervical cancer. The cancer itself is a worry, but the lymphedema ia an additional handicap for the patients, both physical and psychosoical. Recently the best treatment of lymphedema is complete lymphedema therapy, and Dr. Foldi developed in 1980s. But this treatment has not always given satisfactory and permanent results. We report a case of the lymphedema patient who was treated by partial decompression therapy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2022

Patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer who undergo an axillary dissection and require adjuvant therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy are at high risk of developing lymphedema of the associated extremity. Historically, patients with lymphedema were treated with ablative procedures aimed simply to remove excess fluid and adiposity; however, the field of lymphatic surgery employing super-microsurgery techniques has witnessed tremendous advances in a relatively short period of time. Advancements in surgical instruments, microscope magnification and optics, imaging technology, and surgeon experience have ushered in a new era of hope to treat patients suffering from breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Here we aim to present the available options for patients suffering from BCRL, and the pinnacle in reconstruction and restoration for these patients.