b'Resources About Cancer-Related Lymphedema (LE) | 8 Resources About Cancer-Related Lymphedema (LE) | 9LE&RN462/3R2022 LE&RN623/3R202210 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PREVENTING CHRONIC, CANCER-CANCER AND LYMPHEDEMA (LE) RELATED LE OF THE ARMS AND LEGS01 06 01 06WHAT PERCENTAGE OF CANCER SURVIVORS SHOULD MY DOCTOR BE DOING ANYTHING CHRONIC CANCER-RELATED LYMPHEDEMA (LE) IS AT-HOME THERAPY CAN HALT THE DEVELOPMENTGET LYMPHEDEMA (LE)? PRE- AND POST-SURGERY? A LIFELONG CONDITION OF CHRONIC LYMPHEDEMAWhile survival rates among patients with cancers have steadilyMeasurements of the affected area (i.e., pelvis, lower or upper Lymphedema (LE) occurs when the lymphatic system that removesIf your doctor or therapist finds signs of early lymphedema, they improved, it comes with the risk of a secondary disease limbs) are needed both pre-and post-operatively. Referral towaste from the body becomes damaged or impaired. Fluid builds upmay prescribe at-home treatment. Your treatment plan may include lymphedema. Up to 10 million Americans are estimated to havea Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) as soon as changesand causes swelling in your arms, legs, hands, or feet. Your arm, leg,wearing compression garments, light stretching, or self-massage. lymphedemaseven million of which are a result of cancerare detected is essential to manage the disease before serioushand, or foot may feel heavy, feel tight, or be hard to move. If left treatment. This includes the following percent estimates: breastcomplications occur. untreated, lymphedema may lead to complications including07(30%); sarcoma (30%); gynecological (20%); melanoma (16%); genitalinfection. You may have to manage lymphedema with therapy or urinary (10%); head and neck (75%). 07 lifestyle modification for the rest of your life.EVIDENCE SUPPORTS EARLY DETECTION02 LYMPHEDEMA MANAGEMENT CAN BE COMPLEX 02 AND TREATMENTClinical trials have shown that early detection and treatment of WHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA (LE)? AND EXPENSIVE THE RISK OF GETTING LYMPHEDEMA DEPENDS ONcancer-related lymphedema can prevent it from becoming a Lymphedema is a lifelong, chronic, and incurable disease.Compression garments can be difficult to put on and wear and YOUR CANCER TYPE AND TREATMENT chronic condition. only last from 4 to 6 months; ongoing treatment is expensive. Lymphedema most commonly involves swelling in arms or legsMost insurance does not cover garment costs, which are higher ifUp to 10 million Americans are estimated to have lymphedema 08and can affect the head, neck, trunk, and genital area. It occursthe lymphedema is more severe and custom-made compressionseven million of which are a result of cancer treatment. This after cancer treatments, non-cancer related surgery, or trauma toincludes the following percent estimates: breast (30%); sarcoma the lymph nodes (secondary LE), while some people are born with garments are required. (30%); gynecological (20%); melanoma (16%); genital urinary (10%);LEADING GUIDELINES RECOMMEND A PREVENTION it or develop it later in life (primary LE). head and neck (75%). Cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation, MODEL-OF-CARE 08 or chemotherapy can increase your risk of getting lymphedema. Early detection and treatment of lymphedema to improve patient 03 outcomes is recommended in multiple clinical practice guidelines, LYMPHEDEMA CAN BE EXHAUSTING AND DISABLING 03 including: American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), eviCore WHY ARE CANCER PATIENTS AT RISK? Lymphedema alters the individuals ability to participate inClinical Guidelines for Physical and Occupational Therapy Service, Treatment plans such as cytoreductive surgery, extensive nodeactivities of daily living; chronic pain and discomfort associatedCANCER-RELATED LYMPHEDEMA IS PREVENTABLE National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), National dissection, lymph node removal, and radiation can all cause awith the disease can be debilitating, exhausting, and depressive. Cancer-related lymphedema of the arms and legs develops inComprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for Breast Cancer, disruption to the lymphatic system running the risk ofstages. When it is caught early, before you feel or can measureNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for lymphedema. With the surgeons goal of eliminating cancer,09 noticeable swelling, it can be treated and stopped before it getsSurvivorship, and National Lymphedema Network (NLN).development of LE is often not even discussed with patients.LYMPHEDEMA MAY DECREASE QUALITY OF LIFE worse and becomes a lifelong condition.0904 Lymphedema robs affected individuals of the sense of joy in 04PATIENT EDUCATION IS CRUCIAL life; it is incredibly time consuming and expensive to manage on EARLY DETECTION IS CRITICAL PREVENTION IS HAPPENING NOWa daily basis. Many cancer treatment centers, both large and small, have Patients must be educated about lymphedema risk from theIn order to prevent the development of chronic lymphedema, itimplemented programs to prevent cancer patients from getting inception of treatment, particularly before undergoing an invasive10 must be caught early before you notice much swelling. In order tochronic lymphedema. LE&RNs Centers of Excellence are required procedure or surgery in which lymph nodes may be damaged orcatch lymphedema early, you must be routinely tested when youto offer risk reduction and surveillance programs for high risk removed. Educating patients about LE signs/symptoms to be awareLYMPHEDEMA MAY CAUSE INDIVIDUALS TO FEELsee your doctor or therapist. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is patients and assessment tools such as perometry or Bioimpedance of post-operatively should not discourage them from agreeing toone method used by doctors and therapists to help find signs of UNSUPPORTED AND ISOLATED lymphedema early, before you notice symptoms yourself. spectroscopy (BIS). Learn more: LE&RN Centers of Excellencesurgery or other treatments.Individuals may feel they are part of an invisible population since10physicians and physicians and medical practitioners often fail0505 to correctly diagnose and treat the disease. Although treatment IS THERE FURTHER RISK AFTER SURGERY? centers are currently few, there are a variety of resources availablePREVENTION STARTS BEFORE CANCER TREATMENT BEGINS RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOULymphedema can occur months to years following surgery oron the LE&RN website; e.g., a current list of LE/LD treatment centers,Measurements of your arms or legs before cancer-treatment beginsNow that you know more about preventing cancer-related treatment for cancer with lymph node involvement. Reoccurrence ofresources to help you find a therapist, stories of others livinggives your doctor or therapist a baseline value of what is normal forlymphedema of the arms or legs, you can be prepared to talk to the tumor or metastasis of cancers increase the risk of lymphedemawith LE/LD, free symposium videos,and LE&RNs social mediayou. Any changes after your cancer treatment can be compared toyour doctor or therapist. Print this list, take it with you to your next by further impairing lymph drainage. connecting you to the LE community. your baseline measurement. This way, your doctor or therapist canvisit, and ask what they will do to reduce the risk that you develop detect lymphedema at the earliest possible stage. chronic lymphedema following your cancer treatment.is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located at 154 West 14th Street, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located at 154 West 14th Street,2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011. For more information: www.LymphaticNetwork.org 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011. For more information: www.LymphaticNetwork.org'