Lymphedema News and Research

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Lymphedema is a condition that can cause significant swelling of the upper and lower extremities due to the build-up of excess lymph fluid. This can occur when the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining excess fluid from the body and is a key component of the immune system, is damaged or altered. In breast cancer patients, this can occur after surgery, such as removal or biopsy of the lymph nodes, and/or radiation therapy. It is estimated that six percent to 40 percent of patients with breast cancer develop lymphedema, and that it often occurs within the first two years after surgery. For some cancer survivors and others at risk, a low level lymphedema can occur 10 years to 15 years following the initial primary treatment and develop into a condition that has a serious impact on overall health and quality of life.

New treatment using nanoparticles can repair lymphatic vessel pumping

The human body is made up of thousands of tiny lymphatic vessels that ferry white blood cells and proteins around the body, like a superhighway of the immune system.

20 Mar 2023

Computational analysis of large genetic datasets reveals rare disease etiologies

Using a new computational approach they developed to analyze large genetic datasets from rare disease cohorts, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and colleagues have discovered previously unknown genetic causes of three rare conditions: primary lymphedema (characterized by tissue swelling), thoracic aortic aneurysm disease, and congenital deafness.

17 Mar 2023

Study explores work experiences and quality of life for Hispanic survivors

As a cancer nurse in the U.S. Army for more than 29 years, Elizabeth Anderson saw firsthand how chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries impact the body's lymphatic system, putting breast cancer survivors at greater risk for developing lymphedema, a chronic condition of swelling that may occur after surgical removal, chemotherapy treatment, or irradiation of lymph nodes.

13 Sep 2022

Exploring the impact of climate change on lymphedema symptoms

Flinders University studies to determine if people with lymphoedema experience symptom variations due to varying climatic conditions aim to provide better treatment outcomes for patients trying to cope with longstanding swelling in their limbs.

10 Jun 2022

Soft robotic sleeve for lymphedema treatment reduces cost, weight, and power consumption

Lymphedema often occurs in survivors of breast cancer, because they are at high risk for lymph node damage or removal during surgical procedures.

5 May 2022

Smart textile arm sleeve will be an effective and easy-to-use treatment for lymphedema patients

A ‘breakthrough’ smart textile arm sleeve will use electrical stimulation to reduce swelling and discomfort for patients with lymphedema.

30 Mar 2022

Older female cancer survivors face challenges with physical activity due to chronic lower extremity lymphedema

A new study has found that nearly one third of older adult female survivors of colorectal, endometrial and ovarian cancer have quality of life-impacting challenges with physical activity due to chronic swelling (lymphedema) in the lower extremities.

10 Mar 2022

Melanoma patients do better on immunotherapy than completion lymph node dissection

For years, surgery for patients with stage III melanoma -; melanoma that has spread to the lymph nodes -; involved removing those lymph nodes along with the primary tumor.

4 Mar 2022

Five-day course of preoperative radiation therapy for sarcoma provides excellent local control rates

In a phase 2 single-institution study, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers found that dose-equivalent preoperative radiation therapy for extremity/trunk soft tissue sarcoma delivered in five days rather than over the conventional five weeks produced similar benefits and treatment side effects.

28 Oct 2021

Study identifies Foxo1 gene as a potential treatment target for hereditary lymphedema

A University of South Florida preclinical study unexpectedly identified the gene Foxo1 as a potential treatment target for hereditary lymphedema.

10 Aug 2021

King Edward VII’s new approach reduces damaging side effects of breast cancer surgeries

Independent charitable hospital King Edward VII’s, based in Harley Street Medical Area, is incorporating two new innovations to combat some of the damaging long-term side effects of breast cancer surgeries.

6 Aug 2021

New tool allows surgeons to pinpoint breast tumors more easily

Breast surgeons at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center have a new tool that allows them to pinpoint breast tumors more easily, with many benefits to the patient.

29 Jun 2021

Breast cancer treatment can be safely reduced in women over the age of 70

Oncologists faced with treating older women with breast cancer often must decide if the treatment may be more detrimental than the cancer.

16 Apr 2021

Researchers elucidate mechanism by which blood and lymph vessels remain separated

Researchers from Kumamoto University (Japan) have clarified the mechanism by which blood and lymph vessels remain segregated from one another after development.

6 Feb 2021

Somatic mutation may act as a natural gene therapy in patients with rare autosomal disease

Researchers affiliated with the Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, have identified for the first time a non-hereditary mutation in blood cells from a patient with GATA2 deficiency, a rare autosomal disease caused by inherited mutations in the gene that encodes GATA-binding protein 2 (GATA2).

17 Nov 2020

Study offers the standard of surgical care for early-stage breast cancer

Among accredited U.S. cancer centers, hospitals serving primarily minority patients are as likely as other hospitals to offer the standard of surgical care for early-stage breast cancer, according to results presented at the virtual American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2020.

5 Oct 2020

COVID-19-related interruptions in rehabilitation care causes emotional distress in breast cancer survivors

Beyond the tragic surges in hospitalizations and deaths, the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare for people with a wide range of medical conditions - including cancer.

29 Sep 2020

A novel gene involved in primary lymphedema identified

The Human Molecular Genetics laboratory of the de Duve Institute (UCLouvain), headed by Professor Miikka Vikkula, recently identified mutations in a novel gene, ANGPT2, responsible for primary lymphedema.

10 Sep 2020

Renowned Harley Street hospital performs pioneering dual breast surgery

King Edward VII’s Hospital – located within the Harley Street Medical Area – have announced an achievement in breast reconstruction surgery, having performed their first DIEP flap reconstruction with Lymphatic Microsurgical Healing Approach for prevention of secondary breast cancer related lymphedema.

8 Sep 2020

Study: Breast cancer reduction efforts show mixed progress

The data is clear: for patients with early stage breast cancer, certain operations risk more harm than good -; increasing the risk of medical complications, missed work and health care costs without increasing survival rates.

10 Jun 2020