The treatment of lymphedema

BACKGROUND. Before the treatment of arm lymphedema after breast carcinoma t reatment with complex decongestive physiotherapy can be initiated, it is ma ndatory to differentiate between benign and malignant forms (due to relapse ) and to establish the diagnosis of accompanying diseases, if present. METHODS, In benign lymphedemas, the aim of complex decongestive physiothera py is to restore the symptom free "Stage 0 of latency" and to maintain fitn ess for work. The palliative treatment of malignant lymphedemas results in the amelioration of the quality of life. RESULTS, The results of treatment depend on the experience of the physician in clinical lymphology, on the training and dedication of the lymphedema t herapist, and on the compliance of the patient. CONCLUSIONS. A study concerning gene expression has shown that complex deco ngestive physiotherapy influences the pathological alterations of the inter stitium in lymphedema patients. Cancer 1998;83:2833-4. (C) 1998 American Ca ncer Society.