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Understanding the Truth About Lymphedema: How Can Cancer Treatment Be the Culprit?
Lymphedema, also known as lymphedema or lymphedema, is a localized swelling caused by damage to the lymphatic system. As a key component of the body's immune system, the lymphatic system is responsible for returning interstitial fluid to the blood circulation. Lymphedema is often a complication of cancer treatment or parasitic infections, but it can also occur in a variety of genetic disorders. Affected tissues are at high risk of infection due to a compromised lymphatic system. Although it is progressive and has no cure, its symptoms can be improved with a range of treatments including compression therapy, good skin care, exercise and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), which are often collectively referred to as comprehensive decongestive therapy.
Although lymphedema cannot be cured, it is possible to significantly improve the patient's quality of life through appropriate treatment.
The most common form of lymphedema is soft tissue swelling. As the disease progresses, swelling becomes more pronounced and is accompanied by skin changes including discoloration, verrucous hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, papilloma, dermal thickening, and even ulceration. Additionally, there is an increased risk of skin infections, such as lymphadenopathy or lymphangitis.
Complications
When damage to lymphatic function affects the normal drainage of lymph fluid, excess protein-rich fluid can accumulate in the body. If left untreated, this trapped fluid can lead to increased and enlarged tissue channels, which can reduce the supply of oxygen to the blood, interfere with wound healing, and can lead to a variety of bacterial skin infections and serious conditions such as lymphangitis and lymphadenitis . In patients with lymphedema, prompt recognition and treatment of infection symptoms is crucial, as recurrent infections or cellulitis not only carry great dangers, but can further damage the lymphatic system and create a vicious cycle.
Long-term lymphedema may even cause a rare form of cancer called lymphangiosarcoma.
Causes and risk factors
Lymphedema can be divided into hereditary (primary) and caused by injury to lymphatic vessels (secondary). Risk factors such as advancing age, being overweight or obese, and having rheumatic or psoriatic arthritis also increase a person's risk of developing lymphedema. Damage to lymph nodes is often seen during cancer treatments, such as lymph node removal during breast cancer surgery, radiation therapy, etc. Many patients develop symptoms of lymphedema months or even years after treatment has ended.
Symptoms of lymphedema are very common among cancer patients undergoing surgery or radiation therapy, especially after breast cancer surgery.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of lymphedema is usually based on symptoms and medical history, with testing available to rule out other possible causes. Accurate diagnosis and staging facilitate subsequent management. The diagnosis of lymphedema currently relies mainly on medical history, physical examination, and limb measurements. Imaging tests such as lymphadenectomy and indigo-green lymphography are usually performed only when surgery is being considered. The first sign of early lymphedema may be a subjective sensation, such as a feeling of heaviness in the affected limb.
Treatment
Although there is no cure for lymphedema, various treatments can improve a patient's quality of life. Some common treatments include compression therapy, good skin care, exercise, manual lymphatic drainage, and the use of an intermittent air pressure therapy device, which is called comprehensive depletion therapy. For lymphedema associated with breast cancer, manual lymphatic drainage is considered safe and may have the added benefit of reducing swelling. Most patients with lymphedema can be managed medically with conservative treatment, and diuretics are not effective for lymphedema.
The treatment for lymphedema will vary depending on the symptoms, and it is important to choose the appropriate treatment.
During the treatment of lymphedema, whether the patient can receive timely medical treatment and modify their living habits will directly affect the final quality of life. And do we pay enough attention to this hidden and serious health challenge? Is it worthy of everyone’s in-depth thinking?
