비뇨기암에서 림프절 절제술과 림프부종

Lymphedema is uncommon in patients with urologic cancer, but can be associated with gross physical deformity, which severely influences patient‘s health-related quality of life. Lymphedema in patients with urologic cancer is caused by damage or obstruction of the lymphatics due to tumor involvement of the lymph nodes, surgery, radiation, or infection. Lymph node dissection is a common procedure in general surgical urology practice. Evidence has accumulated that lymph node dissection plays a role in the treatment of various urologic cancers. Particularly, lymph node dissection is considered to be associated with survival benefit in patients with advanced bladder cancer or penile cancer. In urologic oncology practice, lymphedema is a rather neglected subject, which is considered to be non-fatal. Prevention, early diagnosis, and proper treatment efforts should be made to minimize the detrimental effects of lymphedema on the patient’s quality of life.