I wanted to make a special announcement that the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network
is now on Facebook.
You can join by going to: Lighthouse Facebook
There is also an area where you can post and participate.
AND - don't forget our upcoming program in October. We will be having both a
parenting network and a teen network this year....be there or be square!
see the details for that at:
Lighthouse Lymphedema Network
**yes, I'm on it too :-)
Pat
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Risk factors for lower limb lymphedema after lymph node dissection in patients with ovarian and uterine carcinoma.
Risk factors for lower limb lymphedema after lymph node dissection in patients with ovarian and uterine carcinoma.
BMC Cancer. 2009 Feb
Department of Clinical Trial Design and Management, Translational Research Center, Kyoto University Hospital,
Corresponding author.
Harue Tada: haru.ta@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp; Satoshi Teramukai: steramu@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp; Masanori Fukushima:mfukushi@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp; Hiroshi Sasaki: hrssasaki@jikei.ac.jp
BACKGROUND: Lymph node dissection has proven prognostic benefits for patients with ovarian or uterine carcinoma; however, one of the complications associated with this procedure is lymphedema. We aimed to identify the factors that are associated with the occurrence of lymphedema after lymph node dissection for the treatment of ovarian or uterine carcinoma.
METHODS: A total of 694 patients with histologically confirmed ovarian (135 patients) or uterine cancer (258 with cervical cancer, 301 with endometrial cancer) who underwent lymph node dissection were studied retrospectively. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with occurrence of lymphedema.
RESULTS: Among ovarian and uterine cancer patients who underwent pelvic lymph node dissection, post-operative radiotherapy (odds ratio: 1.79; 95% confidence interval: 1.20-2.67; p = 0.006) was statistically significantly associated with occurrence of lymphedema.
CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between any surgical procedure and occurrence of lymphedema among patients undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy. Our findings are supported by a sound biological rationale because they suggest that limb lymphedema is caused by pelvic lymph node dissection.
*Editor's note: It is rare that I openly place a note of disagreement on an article, but in this case, I think one is called for. The incident ratio of lower limb lymphedema from gynecological cancer is skyrocketing with survival rates increasing as well. It is well document that the removal of lymph nodes damages the lymph system and that a damaged lymph system can lead to lymphedema. I would suggest that they doctors involved in this study go back to their research. Pat
Lymphoscintigraphy in angiomyomatous hamartomas and primary lower limb lymphedema
Lymphoscintigraphy in angiomyomatous hamartomas and primary lower limb lymphedema
Clin Nucl Med. 2009 Jul
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. pierre.bourgeois@bordet.be
PURPOSE: Angiomyomatous hamartoma (AH) of the lymph node is a rare vascular benign disease of unknown etiology with a predisposition for the lymph nodes of the inguinal area. Only 18 cases have been described up to now in the literature and the disorder was reported to be associated with lymphedema or swelling of the ipsilateral limb in 4 patients. However, scintigraphic investigation of the lymphatic system in these patients was reported in only 2 cases.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five patients where the biopsy of inguinal nodes for suspected lymphadenitis led to the diagnosis of angiomyomatous hamartoma were investigated using lymphoscintigraphic techniques (1 girl aged 15; 1 boy aged 9 at the time of first biopsy and 11 at the time of the second one; and 3 men aged 30, 50, and 57). The operated limb was lymphedematous in 3 and 1 developed lymphedema after biopsy. The fifth patient developed a contralateral lymphedema after his second nodal biopsy.
RESULTS: In all cases, lymphoscintigraphic investigation of the limbs showed extensive lymph node abnormalities on the operated side and in 4 cases on the opposite side.
CONCLUSIONS: These observations support not only the hypothesis that lymphatic disturbance was involved in the pathogenesis of these tumors but also the proposition that lymphoscintigraphy should be performed in cases of inguinal lymphadenitis of unknown origin to diagnose the underlying situation of latent lymphedema.
Elective amputation of the toes in severe lymphedema of the lower leg: rationale and indications
Elective amputation of the toes in severe lymphedema of the lower leg: rationale and indications
Ann Plast Surg. 2009 Aug
Department of Plastic Surgery, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Taiwan.
Entry lesions at the toes interdigital spaces, in the setting of chronic lymphedema, are strongly associated with repetitive infective episodes which cause significant morbidity. A prospective study was designed to evaluate the outcome in 2 groups of patients affected by end stage III lymphedema of the lower extremity, treated with the Charles procedure with or without simultaneous amputation of the toes. At a mean 3 years of follow-up, 20% of the patients receiving elective toes amputation experienced recurrence of the infection and none required more proximal amputations. Among the patients not desiring elective toes amputation; 83% suffered multiples attacks of cellulitis and in 88% the toes were eventually amputated. The difference in the number of infective episodes between the 2 groups was highly significant. No cases of recurrent lymphedema were registered. Elective toes amputation in combination with the Charles procedure reduces recurrent cellulitis and long-term morbidity in stage III lymphedema of the lower leg.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The outcomes of program based on complex decongestive physiotherapy for a patient with secondary lymphedema caused by infection on the leg
The outcomes of program based on complex decongestive physiotherapy for a patient with secondary lymphedema caused by infection on the leg
Fukuoka Igaku Zasshi. 2009 Jun
Nakao F, Furutani A, Yoshimura K, Hamano K, Kinoshita Y, Kawamoto R, Nakao H, Suzuki S.
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
Lymphedema is a chronic problem causing distress and loss of functions throughout the lifespan. Complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) is in common use in developed countries but has only recently been used in Japan for people in outpatient settings. CDP is a representative conservative treatment for lymphedema, conducted by combining four kinds of physical therapies: skin care, manual lymph drainage (MLD), bandage and exercise. This research project lead by a nurse is underway using CDP in an outpatient department. We report a case of secondary lymphedema caused by infection successfully treated by CDP. A 22-year-old man suffered from cellulitis of unknown origin when he was a high school student. After this event, he had been repeatedly admitted to hospital with infections as a result of the lymphedema. He underwent MLD once or twice monthly and received health education for skin care, self-massage and exercise, and was advised to wear compression stockings. Within 7 months the leg swelling had significantly reduced and his feelings of malaise and pain disappeared. Fourteen months later the circumferences of his knee and ankle had kept the sizes, and he has not re-entered hospital for infections. For this man, CDP had a positive outcome, as it has for many others around the world. Our experience has found it very important to establish adequate support systems for such people in outpatient and community settings. However, more research and knowledge sharing are required to understand the usefulness and effectiveness about this program as a primary treatment combined with health education in community settings in Japan.
PubMed
Fukuoka Igaku Zasshi. 2009 Jun
Nakao F, Furutani A, Yoshimura K, Hamano K, Kinoshita Y, Kawamoto R, Nakao H, Suzuki S.
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
Lymphedema is a chronic problem causing distress and loss of functions throughout the lifespan. Complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) is in common use in developed countries but has only recently been used in Japan for people in outpatient settings. CDP is a representative conservative treatment for lymphedema, conducted by combining four kinds of physical therapies: skin care, manual lymph drainage (MLD), bandage and exercise. This research project lead by a nurse is underway using CDP in an outpatient department. We report a case of secondary lymphedema caused by infection successfully treated by CDP. A 22-year-old man suffered from cellulitis of unknown origin when he was a high school student. After this event, he had been repeatedly admitted to hospital with infections as a result of the lymphedema. He underwent MLD once or twice monthly and received health education for skin care, self-massage and exercise, and was advised to wear compression stockings. Within 7 months the leg swelling had significantly reduced and his feelings of malaise and pain disappeared. Fourteen months later the circumferences of his knee and ankle had kept the sizes, and he has not re-entered hospital for infections. For this man, CDP had a positive outcome, as it has for many others around the world. Our experience has found it very important to establish adequate support systems for such people in outpatient and community settings. However, more research and knowledge sharing are required to understand the usefulness and effectiveness about this program as a primary treatment combined with health education in community settings in Japan.
PubMed
Friday, September 11, 2009
Georgia Lymphedema Education and Awareness Program
11th Annual Lymphedema Education & Awareness Program
An educational and awareness conference for patients, caregivers and professionals!
Where?
Piedmont Hospital
Piedmont Hospital
Richard H. Rich Auditorium
1968 Peachtree Road, NW, Building 77
Atlanta, Georgia
When?
Saturday, October 18, 20087:30 am - 5:30 pm
Program includes
What to expect of tissue after radiation?
What is the physiology response of radiation?
What does radiation do to the lymph nodes? - Peter Rossi, MD
How does vascular flow affect the lymphatics? - Ken Harper, MD
Expectations of surgery. - Christopher Hart, MD, FACSThe Lymphatic System, Wound Care,
Infections and Treatment - Paula Stewart, MDParent Networking
Aquatic Exercises
The Connection of obesity and increased swelling in people with lymphedema and lipedema.and more.
Additional information and registration form - Home website - Lighthouse Lymphedema Network
See you there - Pat
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