[PROGRESS OF TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF BREAST CANCER RELATED LYMPHEDEMA].

OBJECTIVE

To review the progress of treatment and prevention of breast cancer related lymphedema.

METHODS

The recent literature concerning treatment and prevention of breast cancer related lymphedema was extensively consulted and reviewed.

RESULTS

The treatment of lymphedema is now based on complete decongestive therapy, supplemented with medicine and surgery. Those procedures have been proved to be safe and effective. Sentinel lymph node biopsy, axillary reverse mapping, and lymphaticovenous anastomoses have been used to decrease the incidence of lymphedema. They show promising effectiveness in short term, but the long-term effectiveness needs further tests.

CONCLUSIONS

In clinical practice, many treatment methods are used to decrease lymphedema, and lymphedema prevention is playing an increasingly important role. Lymphaticovenous anastomoses shows a promising effectiveness in reducing lymphedema.