Lymphoedema is the most common chronic complication after breast cancer surgery or radiotherapy. It is a painful swelling of the arm caused by damage to the lymphatic system during treatment. Around 70% of women experience lymphoedema after breast cancer surgery and it is a significant cause of cosmetic disfigurement, anxiety and depression.

Researchers in Madrid now report on a study of the impact of early physiotherapy on the risk of lymphoedema. A group of 120 women who had undergone breast cancer surgery involving removal of lymph nodes took part in the trial. Half of them received physiotherapy and education on lymphoedema, while the rest received education only. Each program lasted for three weeks and patients were followed up for four weeks after surgery and then assessed at three, six and 12 months after surgery.

The physiotherapy included manual lymphatic drainage, massage and shoulder exercises. Education included materials about the lymphatic system and how to prevent injury and infection. Overall, 16% of the women developed lymphoedema after a year. In the control group, 25% developed lymphoedema and in the intervention group, receiving physiotherapy, just 7% developed lymphoedema. Also, those in the control group tended to develop lymphoedema much earlier than those in the physiotherapy group. Therefore, it looks as if it could be well worthwhile offering women a physiotherapy program targeted at preventing lymphoedema after they have had breast cancer surgery.

Source:

Lacomba M et al Effectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer: randomised, single blinded, clinical trial BMJ Online First January 13 2010; doi:10.1136/bmj.b5396