Lymph Node Transplantation May Improve Lymphedema

Main Menu Home Newly Diagnosed Types of Cancer Cancer Treatment Testing Center Cancer News Clinical Trials Support & Resources Provider Directory Member Center Quick Links

According to a study published in the Annals of Surgery, breast cancer patients who develop lymphedema after removal of axillary lymph nodes may benefit from having lymph nodes transplanted from the groin to the axilla.

Though sentinel lymph node biopsy (removal of only one or a few lymph nodes) is increasingly being used in the staging of early breast cancer, many women have undergone the more extensive removal of axillary (under the arm) lymph nodes; this procedure is known as axillary lymph node dissection. Side effects of axillary lymph node dissection may include pain, infection, limited shoulder motion, numbness, and lymphedema (swelling of the arm due to an accumulation of lymph fluid).

In an attempt to improve lymphedema in women who have undergone axillarly lymph node dissection for breast cancer, researchers in France evaluated the effect of lymph node transplantation. In this process, lymph nodes are removed from the groin and transplanted into the axilla. The researchers have used this procedure for 12 years. They have reported on outcomes in 24 breast cancer patients.

The patients had all undergone mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, and most had also received radiation therapy. All had lymphedema that was resistant to physical therapy. Patients were followed for an average of 8 years after lymph node transplantation.

After the lymph node transplantation surgery, patients received manual drainage (a type of massage that helps move fluid out of the arm) daily for the first three months and then twice a week for the next three months.

Arm circumference returned to normal in 10 patients, decreased in an additional 12 patients, and did not improve in two patients.During follow-up, 17 patients had no problems with infection in the affected arm, and seven patients experienced only one episode of infection.Physical therapy was successfully discontinued in 63% of patients. Most of these patients were able to stop therapy after six months.

The researchers conclude that lymph node transplantation appears to be a safe and effective treatment for lymphedema. Outcomes may be best for women who undergo lymph node transplantation earlier in the course of their lymphedema.

Reference:Becker C, Assouad J, Riquet M et al. Postmastectomy Lymphedema: Long-Term Results Following Microsurgical Lymph Node Transplantation. Annals of Surgery. 2006;243:313-315.

Related News:  Sentinel Node Biopsy Greatly Reduces Side Effects Compared to Axillary Dissection in Breast Cancer (7/5/05)

© 1998-2006 CancerConsultants.com  All Rights Reserved.

These materials may discuss uses and dosages for therapeutic products that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. All readers should verify all information and data before administering any drug, therapy or treatment discussed herein. Neither the editors nor the publisher accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or consequences from the use or misuse of the information contained herein.

This is cache, read story here