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Lymphoedema — assessment of the diagnostic and prognostic value of upper arm dynamic lymphoscintigraphy in patients after mastectomy
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Abstract
Upper arm lymphoedema is a very debilitating consequence of breast cancer therapy because of excessive limb volume, shape distortion, mobility limitation. The aim of the research was to assess the correlation between lymph outflow impairment and complex decongestive therapy (CDT) effectiveness in breast cancer related lymphoedema. There were 20 women included into the procedure. Lymphoscintigraphy (LAS) was made on g-camera Varicam (ELSCINT) after subcutaneous injection of 0.5 ml Nanocoll labeled 99mTc (1 mCi). Lymphatic insufficiency was defined on the basis of four-step Weissleder scale. The results showed that the higher the level of lymphatic insufficiency the worse effects were achieved during CDT (p < 0.05). Dynamic LAS combined with the static one have a good predictive value of CDT effects.
Abstract
Upper arm lymphoedema is a very debilitating consequence of breast cancer therapy because of excessive limb volume, shape distortion, mobility limitation. The aim of the research was to assess the correlation between lymph outflow impairment and complex decongestive therapy (CDT) effectiveness in breast cancer related lymphoedema. There were 20 women included into the procedure. Lymphoscintigraphy (LAS) was made on g-camera Varicam (ELSCINT) after subcutaneous injection of 0.5 ml Nanocoll labeled 99mTc (1 mCi). Lymphatic insufficiency was defined on the basis of four-step Weissleder scale. The results showed that the higher the level of lymphatic insufficiency the worse effects were achieved during CDT (p < 0.05). Dynamic LAS combined with the static one have a good predictive value of CDT effects.
Keywords
lymphoedema; breast cancer; dynamic lymphoscintigraphy
About this articleTitle
Lymphoedema — assessment of the diagnostic and prognostic value of upper arm dynamic lymphoscintigraphy in patients after mastectomy
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Vol 2, No 2 (2003): Polish Palliative Medicine
Pages
81-85
Published online
2003-02-05
Page views
832
Article views/downloads
7784
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2003;2(2):81-85.
Keywords
lymphoedema
breast cancer
dynamic lymphoscintigraphy
Authors
Justyna Bieda
Maciej Bączyk
Jacek Łuczak