Which is more effective in reducing arm lymphoedema for breast cancer patients who have had axillary lymph clearance: compression bandage or manual lymphatic drainage

WHICH IS MORE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING ARM LYMPHOEDEMA FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WHO HAVE HAD AXILLARY LYMPH CLEARANCE : COMPRESSION BANDAGE OR MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

I . Introduction

Breast cancer treatment involves different aspects like through surgery , radiation therapy , chemotherapy , endocrine therapy , bone marrow transplant , oophorectomy , and adrenalectomy . With this kind of treatments , the patient may develop arm lymphoedema due to the HYPERLINK "http /www .cancerhelp .org .uk /help /default .asp ?page 3343 " \l "nodes " surgery to remove lymph nodes or HYPERLINK "http /www .cancerhelp .org .uk /help /default .asp ?page 3320 " radiotherapy

to the lymph nodes in the armpit

If lymphoedema is not treated , it will get worse . It can be painful and make it difficult to move the arm . This complication can lead to systemic infections and localized swelling that will be very hard to bear . But today , lymphoedema is becoming less common . This is because specialists now try to avoid giving women both surgery and radiotherapy to the armpit . Having surgery and radiotherapy to the armpit greatly increases the risk of damaging the HYPERLINK "http /www .cancerhelp .org .uk /help /default .asp ?page 3282 " \l "nodes lymph nodes and causing lymphoedema

It is important that the patient know about his or her disease and the risk of developing lymphoedema . Poor HYPERLINK "http /cancertrials .nci .nih .gov /Common /PopUps /popDefinition .aspx ?id 457 60 version Patient language English " drainage of the lymphatic system due to HYPERLINK "http /cancertrials .nci .nih .gov /Common /PopUps /popDefinition .aspx ?id 455 70 version Patient language English " surgical removal of the HYPERLINK "http /cancertrials .nci .nih .gov /Common /PopUps /popDefinition .aspx ?id 457 62 version Patient language English " lymph nodes or to radiation therapy may make the affected arm or leg more susceptible to serious HYPERLINK "http /cancertrials .nci .nih .gov /Common /PopUps /popDefinition .aspx ?id 453 64 version Patient language English " infection . Even a small infection may lead to serious lymphoedema . Patients should be taught about arm care after surgery and /or radiation . It is important that patients take precautions to prevent injury and infection in the affected arm because lymphoedema can occur 30 or more years after surgery . HYPERLINK "http /cancertrials .nci .nih .gov /Common /PopUps /popDefinition .aspx ?id 304 766 version Patient language English " Breast HYPERLINK "http /cancertrials .nci .nih .gov /Common /PopUps /popDefinition .aspx ?id 453 33 version Patient language English " cancer patients who follow instructions about skin care and proper exercise after HYPERLINK "http /cancertrials .nci .nih .gov /Common /PopUps /popDefinition .aspx ?id 457 77 version Patient language English " mastectomy are less likely to experience lymphoedema . As management of lymphoedema , compression bandages and manual lymphatic drainage are the mostly used care for such patients

Statement Of Fact

After treatment , some things can increase fluid collection in your arm and increase your risk of lymphoedema . These include Infection in a cut or graze , insect bites , severe sunburn , putting too much strain on your arm too early . But this can be prevented by not using your arm for anything heavy until you...