Does Manual Lymphatic Drainage Add Value in Reducing Suprafascial Fluid Accumulation and Skin Elasticity in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of fluoroscopy-guided manual lymph drainage (MLD) versus that of traditional and placebo MLD, when added to decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) (EFforT-BCRL trial), on the suprafascial accumulation of lymphatic fluid and skin elasticity.

Methods: In this multicenter, 3-arm, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (EFforT-BCRL trial), 194 participants (mean age = 61 [SD = 10] years) with unilateral BCRL were recruited. All participants received standardized DLT (education, skin care, compression therapy, exercises) and were randomized to fluoroscopy-guided, traditional, or placebo MLD.

Manual lymphatic drainage with or without fluoroscopy guidance did not substantially improve the effect of decongestive lymphatic therapy in people with breast cancer-related lymphoedema (EFforT-BCRL trial): a multicentre randomised trial.

Questions: When added to decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT), what is the effect of fluoroscopy-guided manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) versus traditional MLD or placebo MLD for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL)?

Design: Multicentre, three-arm, randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinding of assessors and participants.

Participants: At five hospitals in Belgium, 194 participants with unilateral chronic BCRL were recruited.

Intervention: All participants received standard DLT (education, skin care, compression therapy and exercises).

Breast implant infection with First case-report.

Zoonotic infections represent an uncommon phenomenon. Few people with pets realise the infectious risk this entails. This case describes a infection of a breast implant following close contact between a patient and her cat.

Cross-cultural validation of the French version of the Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Upper Limb Lymphedema (Lymph-ICF-UL).

Purpose: Upper limb lymphedema is a vexing morbidity that can occur after the treatment for breast cancer. The Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Upper Limb Lymphedema (Lymph-ICF-UL) is a valid and reliable tool assessing problems in functioning in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Until now, a French-language version was lacking.

What is the best method to determine excessive arm volume in patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema in clinical practice? Reliability, time efficiency and clinical feasibility of five different methods.

Objective: To investigate the reliability, time efficiency and clinical feasibility of five commonly used methods for assessing excessive arm volume in patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium.