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Surgical Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients

Current Breast Cancer Reports volume 7, pages 1–7 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

The evidence available for risk reduction of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment is sparse and inconsistent. It is limited by confounding factors such as axillary disease burden, number of lymph nodes harvested, and radiation treatment. However, there are several strategies for prevention and risk reduction prior to the onset of lymphedema. Techniques such as sentinel lymph node biopsy, axillary reverse mapping, lymphatic anastomosis, and lymphovenular anastomosis are aimed at preventing or minimizing the disruption of lymphatic flow from the upper extremity. Few surgical procedures, such as the historical Charles procedure, as well as newer techniques including distal lymphaticovenular anastomosis, lymph node transfer, suction-assisted protein lipectomy, and low-level laser therapy exist. Nonsurgical treatments include complete decongestive therapy, pneumatic compression, Kinesio tape, and exercise. These have varying degrees of effectiveness but have limitations in patient compliance or availability of certified therapists.

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Conflict of Interest

Daniela Ochoa and V. Suzanne Klimberg declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Slot 725, Little Rock, AR, 72212, USA

    Daniela Ochoa

  2. Department of Surgery and Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Slot 725, Little Rock, AR, 72212, USA

    V. Suzanne Klimberg

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  1. Daniela Ochoa
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  2. V. Suzanne Klimberg
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Correspondence to V. Suzanne Klimberg.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Local-Regional Evaluation and Therapy

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Ochoa, D., Klimberg, V.S. Surgical Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 7, 1–7 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-014-0172-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-014-0172-x

Keywords

  • Axillary dissection
  • Lymph nodes
  • Axillary reverse mapping
  • Lymphedema
  • Sentinel
  • Breast cancer
  • Lymphadenectomy