beyond pink team
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Board
    • Annual Report
    • Contact Us
  • Support
    • Physical
    • Emotional
    • Community
    • Financial
    • Caregiver
    • Online
  • Education
    • Newsletter
    • Ignite the Cancer Conversation
    • Quality Care
    • Resources
    • Request Speaker
    • The Cancer Journey
  • Advocacy
    • What is Advocacy
    • National Breast Cancer Coalition
    • Iowa Stop Breast Cancer
    • Research
    • Influencing Policy
    • Access to Care
  • Join Us
    • Be an Advocate
    • Volunteer
    • Events >
      • 16th Annual Pink Ribbon Run
    • Membership
    • Donate to BPT
    • Follow Us
 If you are Breast Cancer Survivor and  you would like to contribute your story to our Newsletter, 
​please send us a message here.
DOWNLOAD Current NewsletteR

Categories

All
Advocacy
Bone Health
Breast Density
Breast Disease
Caregivers
COVID 19
COVID-19
Emotional Support
Environment
Exercise
Fatigue
Financial
Gender
Genetic Testing
Grief
High Risk
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Ignite
Implants
Intimacy After Cancer
LGBTQ
Lymphedema
Mammography
Meditation
Men
Mental Health
Metastasis
MRI
NBCC
Nutrition
Obesity
Pain
Pregnancy
Prevention
Radiation
Reconstruction
Reduce Risk
Rehabilitation
Screening
Sex
Side Effects
Support Groups
Surgery
Survivor
Survivorship
Treatment
Vaccine
Yoga
Young Women

Archives

January 2023
October 2022
July 2022
April 2022
January 2022
October 2021
July 2021
April 2021
January 2021
October 2020
July 2020
April 2020
January 2020
October 2019
July 2019
April 2019
January 2019
October 2018
July 2018
April 2018
January 2018
October 2017
July 2017
April 2017
January 2017
October 2016
July 2016
April 2016
January 2016
October 2015
July 2015
April 2015
January 2015
October 2014
July 2014
April 2014
January 2014
October 2013
July 2013
April 2013
January 2013
October 2012
July 2012
April 2012
January 2012
October 2011
July 2011
April 2011
January 2011
October 2010
July 2010
April 2010
January 2010
October 2009
July 2009
April 2009
January 2009
October 2008
July 2008
April 2008
January 2008
October 2007
July 2007
April 2007
January 2007
October 2006
July 2006
April 2006
January 2006
October 2005
July 2005
April 2005
January 2005
October 2004
July 2004
April 2004
January 2004

Truncal Lymphedema

10/1/2007

0 Comments

 
Amy Kimball, MPT, ATC 

By now, most breast cancer patients who undergo a mastectomy or lumpectomy know about arm lymphedema, a common condition involving upper extremity swelling that can occur following surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Many breast cancer survivors and health care providers falsely believe that as long as their arm does not swell they have avoided the life long condition of lymphedema.

Unfortunately, patients who undergo breast cancer surgery, either lumpectomy or mastectomy, radiation or breast reconstruction are at risk for developing a similar condition known as truncal lymphedema. Lung cancer patients are also at risk for truncal lymphedema. This condition involves swelling in the chest or back following one of the above listed procedures. It can present with or without significant involvement of the adjacent upper extremity. Truncal lymphedema often remains undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to difficulty in accurately and objectively measuring its presence or severity.

Symptoms of truncal lymphedema are similar to that of upper extremity lymphedema. The primary symptom that patients report is pain in the shoulder, chest wall or back. It is usually more severe than the pain patients report with arm lymphedema. Anterior chest wall swelling is commonly present, especially in the affected breast or chest wall where the breast once was. Some women have swelling collect under the incision from their surgery. Swelling of the back, shoulder blades or involved side of the trunk is also often common. As stated earlier, swelling may or may not occur in the involved arm. If the patient has undergone breast reconstruction, edema may settle around the newly constructed breast and may lead to complaints of fullness, poor shape, breast asymmetry or discomfort. These symptoms persist long after the healing stage of reconstruction and are often accompanied by tissue texture changes such as fibrosis and scar or breast tissue contracture.

Patients can affect the degree of development and progression of truncal lymphedema. Steps taken to avoid increased pressure or the tourniquet effect are the best line of defense. Underwire bras are not recommended for anyone who has breast cancer or is at risk for developing lymphedema. Avoiding a heavy prosthesis which puts added pressure on the chest wall and loads bra straps is recommended. Eliminating narrow bra straps and using wider, padded straps helps to disperse pressure over a greater area, easing the tourniquet effect. It is also a good idea to ensure proper bra fit, especially avoiding constriction around the chest. Choosing a bra with a wide, flexible band decreases circumferential chest compression. Experienced certified fitters and breast prosthesis vendors can direct patients to find the right bra for their body type and needs. Patients should also be advised to avoid constriction around the waistline (i.e. belts, tight waistbands) to minimize circumferential compression.

Medical treatment for this condition involves a multidisciplinary approach. Patients should contact their physicians if they notice acute or persistent swelling. Medical workup may be performed to rule out infection or other problems. Physical Therapy is commonly ordered to start complete decongestive therapy (CDT), scar tissue or fibrosis mobilization, therapeutic exercise and compression therapy. CDT includes intensive, hands-on manual lymphatic drainage techniques to be performed by a therapist with specialized training in lymphedema management. A therapist with this training knows specific techniques and patterns for redirecting and removing excess lymphatic fluid. Studies have shown that CDT, in conjunction with scar tissue or fibrosis mobilization can significantly reduce the presence of edema, improve range of motion, and reduce pain. Lymphedema therapists will teach patients how to perform self massage, scar tissue mobilization and exercise at home so that the patient can manage this condition for a lifetime. Many patients do require short or long term use of compression therapy which may include use of specialized bandages, compression pads or custom bras. The specialized bras work to provide compression where it is needed most while avoiding the tourniquet effect on the chest wall, back or shoulders. 

​
Read Full Newsletter
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

CONTACT US

Beyond Pink TEAM
c/o Jeanne Olson, Treasurer
1407 Asbury Lane
Waterloo, IA 50701
​beyondpinkteam@gmail.com
(319) 239-3706
©2020 Beyond Pink TEAM
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Board
    • Annual Report
    • Contact Us
  • Support
    • Physical
    • Emotional
    • Community
    • Financial
    • Caregiver
    • Online
  • Education
    • Newsletter
    • Ignite the Cancer Conversation
    • Quality Care
    • Resources
    • Request Speaker
    • The Cancer Journey
  • Advocacy
    • What is Advocacy
    • National Breast Cancer Coalition
    • Iowa Stop Breast Cancer
    • Research
    • Influencing Policy
    • Access to Care
  • Join Us
    • Be an Advocate
    • Volunteer
    • Events >
      • 16th Annual Pink Ribbon Run
    • Membership
    • Donate to BPT
    • Follow Us