Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a relevant clinical problem associated with breast cancer patients. Lymphedema can occur in any area of the body, including the head and neck, trunk or upper and lower limbs. Cancer-related lymphedema can be caused not only by the disease itself but by necessary therapeutic measures such as radiation, chemotherapy, or lymphatic tissue destruction after surgery. Imbalances of capillary pressure, interstitial pressure, interstitial fluid colloid osmotic pressure, and plasma colloid osmotic pressure can lead to lymphedema. A series of complex processes contribute to the development of radiation induced lymphedema. Currently there are few tools available to diagnose early stage lymphedema, or to monitor changes in response to therapeutic intervention, although recent research has begun to address this problem. At present, commonly used therapeutic methods for lymphedema involve conservative treatment measures. More prospective studies about breast cancer survivors suffering from postoperative lymphedema are needed to help clinicians avoid unnecessary treatments and provide optimal care for patients with breast cancer.