• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.43-48
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• 2020

Objective: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a major sequela after surgery or radiotherarpy for breast cancer. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is designed to reduce lymph swelling by facilitating lymphatic drainage. This study attempted to determine the histologic changes in the skin and subcutaneous layer, and the immediate effect of MLD in decreasing lymphedema using ultrasound imaging, which is the method used most commonly to eliminate BCRL. Design: A single-group experimental study. Methods: Five subjects who were diagnosed with hemiparetic upper extremity lymphedema more than six months after breast cancer surgery participated in the study. MLD was performed for 60 minutes in the order of the thorax, breast, axilla, and upper arm of the affected side. In order to determine the effect of MLD, ultrasound imaging and limb volume were assessed. Two measurement tools were used for asessing lymphedema thickness among the pretest, posttest, and 30-minute follow-up period. Results: Significant diferences in ultrasound imaging and upper limb volume were found between the affected side and non-affected side (p<0.05). On the affected side, although ultrasound imaging showed a significant decrease after MLD (p<0.05), there were no significant difference in upper limb volume when compared to the baseline. Conclusions: In this study, a significant decrease in lymphedema by MLD was demonstrated by ultrasound imaging, which is considered to be more useful in assessing histological changes than limb volume measurements. Further research on the protocol for eliminating lymphedema will be needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권16호
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• pp.6535-6541
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• 2014

Background: To evaluate risk factors for upper extremity lymphedema due to breast cancer surgery. Materials and Methods: Clinical studies published on PubMed, Ovid, EMbase, and Cochrane Library from January 1996 to December 2012 were selected. Results: Twenty-five studies were identified, including 12,104 patients. Six risk factors related to the incidence of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment were detected: axillary lymph node dissection (OR=3.73, 95%CI 1.16 to 11.96), postoperative complications (OR=2.64, 95%CI 1.10 to 6.30), hypertension (OR=1.83, 95%CI 1.38 to 2.42), high body mass index (OR=1.80, 95%CI 1.30 to 2.49), chemotherapy (OR=1.38, 95%CI 1.07 to 1.79) and radiotherapy (OR=1.35, 95%CI 1.10 to 1.66). We found significant protective factors for lymphedema: pathologic T classification (OR=0.57, 95%CI 0.36 to 0.91) and stage (OR=0.60, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.93), while some factors, like age, number of positive lymph nodes, number of lymph node dissection, demonstrated no obvious correlation. Conclusions: Axillary lymph node dissection, postoperative complications, hypertension, body mass index, chemotherapy, radiotherapy are risk factors for lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. Attention should be paid to patients with risk factors to prevent the occurrence of lymphedema.

• Medical Lasers
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.189-194
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• 2021

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is characterized by the persistent accumulation of interstitial fluid in the peripheral tissues after treatment for breast cancer. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is widely used as supportive care for patients with BCRL. A search was performed in the PubMed database to find relevant articles published over the last 20 years. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of PBM therapy on BCRL were included. A total of 24 studies were identified through the PubMed database. Seven studies were used for the final analysis, after excluding items that did not meet the duplication and inclusion criteria. Although PBM showed some improvement in reducing arm circumference and the symptoms related to BCRL, the results of the meta-analysis did not show any significant benefit in alleviating lymphedema. Further studies are needed with the recruitment of more participants to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of PBM in the management of BCRL.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.154-157
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• 2012

Lymphedema is a common complication after mastectomy in breast cancer patients. Many treatment options are available, but no treatment results in a complete cure. We report a case of lymphedema that occurred after modified radical mastectomy in a breast cancer patient who showed objective improvement after delayed breast reconstruction with an latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. A 41-year-old female patient with left breast cancer had undergone modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection and postoperative radiotherapy 12 years previously. Four years after surgery, lymphedema developed and increased in aggravation despite conservative treatment. Eight years after the first operation, the patient underwent delayed breast reconstruction using the extended latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap method. After reconstruction, the patient's lymphedema symptoms showed dramatic improvement by subjective measures including tissue softness and feeling of lightness, and by objective measures of about 7 mL per a week, resulting in near normal ranges of volume. At a postoperative follow-up after 3 years, no recurrence was observed. Delayed breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps may be helpful to patients with lymphedema after mastectomy. This may be a good option for patients who are worried about the possibility of the occurrence or aggravation of secondary lymphedema.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.113-120
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• 2022

Purpose : Lymphedema is a common complication in mastectomy patients and is usually characterized by pain, swelling, and limited range of motion (ROM) in the arm. Electromyostimulation (EMS) is widely used for the rehabilitation and recovery of subjects with various neuromusculoskeletal disorders after breast cancer. However, EMS has not yet been used in many Pilates exercises. This study was aimed at comparing the effects of instrument Pilates integrated with EMS on pain, lymphedema, and ROM of the upper extremity (UE) in breast cancer subjects after mastectomy. Methods : Nine female breast cancer subjects who had undergone mastectomy participated in the study. The subjects underwent instrument Pilates with EMS (experimental group) or instrument Pilates only (control group). Pain, lymphedema, and ROM of the UE were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), the circumference length of the UE, and the ROM of the UE. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the pain, lymphedema, and ROM of the arm before and after the intervention, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups. The statistical significance level was set to p < .05. Results : In the experimental group, there were significant differences in pain (p<.05) and UE circumference (p<.05) before and after intervention. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in VAS (p>.05) or circumference length of the UE (p>.05). There was one significant difference between the groups in terms of internal rotation of the ROM of the UE (p<.05). Conclusion : These results show that instrument Pilates exercises combined with EMS may positively affect the internal rotation of the ROM of the UE in breast cancer patients after mastectomy, thus contributing to existing knowledge about instrument Pilates using EMS for the effective management of in breast cancer subjects after mastectomy.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.119-126
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• 2009

Purpose: In order to estimate clinical effects of acupotomy and venesection in a patient with peripheral neuropathy and upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Methods: From 17th August, 2009 to 29th August 2009, 1 female patient with peripheral neuropathy and upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery was treated with general oriental medicine therapy(acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, physical therapy, herbal medication) and acupotomy with venesection. Results: The patient's chief complaints- Lt hand numbness, Lt arm edema, Lt. wrist flexion limitation - were notably improved. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that oriental medical treatment with acupotomy and venesection therapy has significant effect in improving symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery, as though we had not wide experience in this treatment, more research is needed.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.512-520
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• 2016

유방암은 여성에서 가장 흔한 악성종양이며, 림프부종은 가장 흔한 유방암수술 후 합병증 가운데 하나이다. 따라서 림프부종과 같은 치료 후유증의 위험도 감소와 적절한 관리는 유방암 생존 환자와 의사에게 있어서 그 중요성이 점차 커지고 있다. 이러한 림프부종의 발생을 예방하기 위하여 흔히 운동이 처방된다. 그러나 그러한 운동의 시기와 효과에 대해서는 각각 상반된 결과들이 보고되어 왔다. 저자들은 림프부종에 대한 운동 효과를 점검하여 환자 치료에 최선의 근거를 도입하기 위해 최신문헌과 상호 심사된 출판물, 전문 기구의 웹사이트를 체계적으로 고찰하여 림프부종의 예방이나 치료를 위해 시행되는 운동의 효과를 검토하였고, 그 결과 이미 림프부종이 발생해 있는 환자들에서는 임상적인 부종진행의 차이점에 유의성이 없었지만, 발생 전 환자들에서는 운동 혹은 훈련이 이차성 림프부종의 발생을 감소시키고 진행을 변경시키는 양상을 볼 수 있었다. 암치료의 발전, 암과 운동 연구, 림프부종의 관리를 위해서는 현재까지 도출된 근거들에 대한 고찰과 이해가 있어야 임상의사들이 적절한 환자 교육과 전문가의뢰를 시행할 수 있을 것이다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권sup3호
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• pp.81-85
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• 2016

Globally, the burden of breast cancer (BC) continues to increase. BC related lymphedema (BCRL) is currently non curable and as a life time risk it affects at least 25% of BC patients. Knowing more about BCRL and appropriate control of its modifiable risk factors can improve quality of life (QOL) of the affected patients. In this case control study to detect factors, 400 women with BCRL (as the case group) and 283 patients with BC without lymphedema (as the control group) that were referred to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences affiliated BC clinic center were assessed. The data were analyzed in SPSS. The mean age of the case group was $52.3{\pm}11.0years$ and of the control group was $50.1{\pm}10.9years$. In patients with BCRL, 203(50.7%) had left (Lt) side BC and in non- lymphedema group 151 (53.3%) had Lt side BC. Out of all BCRL patients, 204 (51%) had lymphedema in all parts of their affected upper extremities, 100 (25%) had swelling in the arm and forearm and 23 (5.7%) had edema in both the upper extremity and trunk. Edema, heaviness, concern about changing body image, pain and paresthesia were the most common signs/symptoms among patients with BCRL. In BCRL patients, the difference of circumference between the affected upper limb and non-affected limb was $4.4{\pm}2.5cm$ and the difference in volume displacement was $528.7{\pm}374.4milliliters$. Multiple variable analysis showed that moderate to severe activity (OR; odds ratio =14, 95% CI :2.6-73.3), invasiveness of BC (OR =13.7, 95% CI :7.3-25.6), modified radical mastectomy (OR=4.3, 95% CI :2.3-7.9), BMI =>25 (OR=4.2, 95% CI :2-8.7), radiotherapy (OR=3.9, 95% CI :1.8-8.2), past history of limb damage (OR=1.7, 95% CI :0.9-3.1) and the number of excised lymph nodes (OR=1.06, 95% CI :1.02-1.09) were the significant predictors of lymphedema in women with BC. Modifiable risk factors of BCRL such as non-guided moderate to severe physical activity, high BMI and trauma to the limb should be controlled as early as possible in BC patients to prevent development of BCRL and improve QOL of these patients.

• 한국컴퓨터정보학회논문지
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.167-173
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• 2024

본 연구에서는 컴퓨터로 제어되는 초음파를 이용하여 피하 조직의 탄성도를 도출할 수 있는 방법을 개발하였다. 림프 부종은 유방암 수술에서 흔한 합병증으로 유방암 생존자에 있어 삶의 질을 저하시키는 주요 원인으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 아직 부종 조직의 성상을 정량적으로 분석할 수 있는 방법은 정립되어 있지 않다. 유방암 수술 이후 한 쪽 상지에 부종으로 인한 불편감을 호소하는 환자를 대상으로 총 30례의 부종 조직과 그에 상응하는 정상 조직에서의 초음파 분석을 수행하였고, 건측과 환측 간 탄성도의 차이를 도출하였다. 그에 따라 차이가 음수인 더 딱딱한 그룹과(n=13) 양수인 더 부드러운 그룹으로(n=17) 분류하였다. 컴퓨터 제어 초음파 검사와 실시간 압력 센서를 이용한 피하 조직 탄력성 평가는 유방암 수술 후 발생한 림프 부종 환자에서 조직의 성상을 분석할 수 있는 유용한 도구가 될 것이다.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.153-161
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of complex theraputic exercise on visual analog scale of pain, shoulder' range of motion for middle-aged women with breast cancer related lymphedema. METHODS: The 14 middle-aged women involved voluntary in this study and then they were divided into two groups(n =7 per group). The complex exercise program was implemented over 4 weeks, 60 minutes per day, with 3 types of exercise for stimulation whereas the control group was performed a classical decongestive physiotherapy in a same day. For data analysis, the mean and standard deviation were estimated; 2 way repeated measures ANOVA was carried out. RESULTS: First, The level of VAS was significantly reduced on time, interaction effect in the group. Second, most factors of ROM were significantly increased on time, interaction effect whereas extension was not significantly increased. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Our results showed that complex therapeutic exercise could improve or maintain VAS and ROM of shoulder joint for middle-aged women with breast cancer related lymphedema.