What is it about?
Prospective pilot study, involving 12 patients over 18 months. All had cancer-related lymphoedema as a result of disease progression and treatments. All had limited life expectancy.
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Why is it important?
The evidence base for CDT in patients with advanced cancer is limited. Our study found that lymphoedema is worth treating in those with limited life expectancy, if they can tolerate the treatment. As well as volume reductions, there was reduction in symptoms and improvement in quality of life. There were also improvement in skin condition. We highlighted the lack of measurement tools for QOL and skin quality in this patient population.
Perspectives
Our study showed what we had seen clinically: those with limited life expectancy can tolerate and benefit from treatment for lymphoedema. This symptoms is often seen as less important than otherwise and often goes untreated. We are hoping that our study will raise the profile of lymphoedema as a treatable condition in patients nearing end of life.
Sinead Cobbe
Milford Care Centre
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Pilot Study: The Effectiveness of Complex Decongestive Therapy for Lymphedema in Palliative Care Patients with Advanced Cancer, Journal of Palliative Medicine, April 2018, Mary Ann Liebert Inc,
DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0235.
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