Implementation of modified manual lymphoedema treatment - complex physical therapy (MLT-CPT) in terminally ill patient

Lymphoedema is a common symptom of advanced cancer, which may significantly decrease the patient’s quality of life. The aim of lymphoedema treatment is to reduce swelling, prevent recurrent pooling of fluid and make the patient feel more comfortable. Lymphoedema is managed using a combination of physiotherapeutic strategies including skin care, exercise, manual lymphatic drainage, massage and support or compression therapy. In this article we present a case of advanced cervical cancer patient, whose painful tension of the skin due to lymphodema was successfully reduced by multi-layer bandaging and limbs elevation.Lymphoedema is a common symptom of advanced cancer, which may significantly decrease the patient’s quality of life. The aim of lymphoedema treatment is to reduce swelling, prevent recurrent pooling of fluid and make the patient feel more comfortable. Lymphoedema is managed using a combination of physiotherapeutic strategies including skin care, exercise, manual lymphatic drainage, massage and support or compression therapy. In this article we present a case of advanced cervical cancer patient, whose painful tension of the skin due to lymphodema was successfully reduced by multi-layer bandaging and limbs elevation

Relationship between Viscoelastic Properties of Tissues and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy in Breast-Cancer-Related Lymphedema

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the viscoelastic properties of tissues and breast-cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). After a mastectomy, 46 females were allocated into a lymphedema group (L; n = 15, lymphedema occurred) and a control group (C; n = 31, lack of lymphedema). Bioimpedance spectroscopy was used to test BCRL. The mechanical properties of the tissues in both upper limbs were tested using myotonometry. In group L, tone, stiffness, relaxation time, and creep measured on the biceps brachii of the impaired limb significantly differed from the results on the unimpaired limb. In group C, the differences were not significant. Moreover, both tone and stiffness were inversely correlated with the level of lymphedema (r = −0.72 and r = −0.88, respectively), and both relaxation and creep were significantly related to the level of lymphedema (r = 0.71 and r = 0.59, respectively), when myotonometry was completed on the biceps brachii of the impaired limb in group L. The relationships were not significant in group C. Measurements of viscoelastic properties can provide useful information concerning lymphedema. Our findings suggest that significant correlations between selected mechanical properties of the tissues and BCRL can be used in BCRL detection and treatment