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Upper Limb Lymphedema

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Lymphedema

Abstract

Within the realm of lymphatic disease treatment, there are many therapeutic interventions available, as highlighted in previous chapters. Treatment of lymphedema (LE) is very challenging. Therapeutic options in LE include conservative and operative modalities and should be individualized with regard to the circumstances of the patient and the lymphedema by a multidisciplinary approach. These circumstances include age, comorbidities, prognosis of (malignant) disease, psychosocial aspects, weight, and physical potential. The goals for conservative treatment are to eliminate edema by reducing interstitial fluid accumulation and to stimulate lymphatic propulsion by compression. However, prevention programs of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment are essential. These programs include baseline measurements prior to operation. Sun et al. (Breast Cancer Res Treat 157:229–240, 2016) showed the necessity of overcoming logistical barriers to improve the quality and accuracy of lymphedema screening and consequently early treatment, which reduces the duration and severity of loss of quality of life.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Expert Center on Lympho-Vascular Medicine, Nij Smellinghe hospital, Drachten, The Netherlands

    Robert J. Damstra

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  1. Robert J. Damstra
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Correspondence to Robert J. Damstra .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Lymphedema and Vascular Malformations, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Byung-Boong Lee

  2. Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA

    Stanley G. Rockson

  3. La Jolla, California, USA

    John Bergan

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Damstra, R.J. (2018). Upper Limb Lymphedema. In: Lee, BB., Rockson, S., Bergan, J. (eds) Lymphedema. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_42

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_42

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