The aim of this study is to identify the lymphedema characteristics and the efficacy of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) in 29 patients with malignant lymphedema. After CDP, total decreased volume of lymphedema was 306 mL, percentage of excess volume (PEV) changed from 43.4% to 22.7%, and lymphedema severity improved from severe to moderate status. The CDP efficacy-percentage reduction in excess volume (PREV) was 46.6%. The stage of lymphedema (P = .004), range of motion (P < .001), pain, heaviness, and tension scores (P < .001) were significantly improved after CDP. This shows that CDP is efficacious and useful in malignant lymphedema.
SzubaAAchaluRRocksonSG. Decongestive lymphatic therapy for patients with breast carcinoma-associated lymphedema. A randomized, prospective study of a role for adjunctive intermittent pneumatic compression. Cancer. 2002;95(11):2260–2267.
2.
Forner-CorderoIMunoz-LangaJForner-CorderoADeMiguel-JimenoJM. Predictive factors of response to decongestive therapy in patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema. Ann Surg Oncol. 2010;17(3):744–751.
3.
LiaoSFLiSHHuangHY. The efficacy of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) and predictive factors of lymphedema severity and response to CDP in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Breast. 2013;22(5):703–706.
4.
LiaoSFLiSHHuangHY. The efficacy of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) and predictive factors of response to CDP in lower limb lymphedema (LLL) after pelvic cancer treatment. Gynecol Oncol. 2012;125(3):712–715.
5.
YamamotoRYamamotoT. Effectiveness of the treatment-phase of two-phase complex decongestive physiotherapy for the treatment of extremity lymphedema. Int J Clin Oncol. 2007;12(6):463–468.
6.
MartinMLHernandezMAAvendanoCRodriguezFMartinezH. Manual lymphatic drainage therapy in patients with breast cancer related lymphoedema. BMC Cancer. 2011;11:94.
7.
HaghighatSLotfi-TokaldanyMYunesianMAkbariMENazemiFWeissJ. Comparing two treatment methods for post mastectomy lymphedema: complex decongestive therapy alone and in combination with intermittent pneumatic compression. Lymphology. 2010;43(1):25–33.
8.
KingMDeveauxAWhiteHRaysonD. Compression garments versus compression bandaging in decongestive lymphatic therapy for breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized controlled trial. Supportive Care Cancer. 2012;20(5):1031–1036.
9.
HwangKHJeongHJKimGCSimYJ. Clinical effectiveness of complex decongestive physiotherapy for malignant lymphedema: a pilot study. Ann Rehabil Med. 2013;37(3):396–402.
PinellXAKirkpatrickSHHawkinsKMondryTEJohnstonePA. Manipulative therapy of secondary lymphedema in the presence of locoregional tumors. Cancer. 2008;112(4):950–954.
12.
GodetteKMondryTEJohnstonePA. Can manual treatment of lymphedema promote metastasis?J Soc Integr Oncol. 2006;4(1):8–12.
13.
FlorEMFlorEMFlorAM. Manual lymph drainage in patients with tumoral activity. J Phlebol Lymphol. 2009;2:13–15.
14.
Soucek-HadwigerBDollerW. Secondary malignant lymphedema [in German]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2006;156(9-10):309–313.
15.
JohanssonKBranjeE. Arm lymphoedema in a cohort of breast cancer survivors 10 years after diagnosis. Acta Oncol. 2010;49(2):166–173.
16.
Werngren-ElgstromMLidmanD. Lymphoedema of the lower extremities after surgery and radiotherapy for cancer of the cervix. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 1994;28(4):289–293.
17.
HwangJMHwangJHKimTW. Long-term effects of complex decongestive therapy in breast cancer patients with arm lymphedema after axillary dissection. Ann Rehabil Med. 2013;37(5):690–697.
18.
FramptonCLHughes-WebbP. The measurement of pain. Clin Oncol. 2011;23(6):381–386.
19.
Casley-SmithJRCasley-SmithJ. Modern Treatment for Lymphedema. 5th ed. Adelaide: The Lymphedema Association of Australia, Inc; 1997.
20.
SitziaJ. Volume measurement in lymphoedema treatment: examination of formulae. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 1995;4(1):11–16.
21.
The diagnosis and treatment of peripheral lymphedema. 2009Concensus Document of the International Society of Lymphology. Lymphology. 2009;42(2):51–60.
22.
RamosSMO’DonnellLSKnightG. Edema volume, not timing, is the key to success in lymphedema treatment. Am J Surg. 1999;178(4):311–315.
23.
SerlinRCMendozaTRNakamuraYEdwardsKRCleelandCS. When is cancer pain mild, moderate or severe? Grading pain severity by its interference with function. Pain. 1995;61(2):277–284.
ZeppetellaGO’DohertyCACollinsS. Prevalence and characteristics of breakthrough pain in cancer patients admitted to a hospice. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2000;20(2):87–92.
26.
FarrarJTYoungJPJrLaMoreauxLWerthJLPooleRM. Clinical importance of changes in chronic pain intensity measured on an 11-point numerical pain rating scale. Pain. 2001;94(2):149–158.
27.
SmootBWongJCooperB. Upper extremity impairments in women with or without lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. J Cancer Surviv. 2010;4(2):167–178.
28.
ClevelandMGAjaikumarBSRegantiR. Cutaneous fibrosis induced by docetaxel: a case report. Cancer. 2000;88(5):1078–1081.
29.
BattafaranoDFZimmermanGCOlderSAKeelingJHBurrisHA. Docetaxel (Taxotere) associated scleroderma-like changes of the lower extremities. A report of three cases. Cancer. 1995;76(1):110–115.
