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Selenium in the treatment of radiation-associated secondary lymphedema.

AbstractPURPOSE:
The aim of this explorative study was to evaluate the impact of selenium in the treatment of lymphedema after radiotherapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Between June 1996 and June 2001, 12 patients with edema of the arm and 36 patients with edema of the head-and-neck region were treated with selenium for therapy-related lymphedema. Of these 36 patients, 20 had interstitial endolaryngeal edema associated with stridor and dyspnea. All patients received sodium selenite over 4 to 6 weeks.
RESULTS:
Self-assessment using a visual analog scale (n = 48) showed a reduction of 4.3 points when comparing pre- and posttreatment values (p < 0.05). Of 20 patients with endolaryngeal edema, 13 underwent no tracheostomy, 5 underwent a temporary tracheostomy, and only 2 underwent a permanent tracheostomy. Ten of 12 patients with arm edema showed a circumference reduction of the edematous limb and improvement in the Skin-Fold Index by 23.3 points. An improvement of one stage or more was shown by the Földi or the Miller score (n = 28) in 22 (Földi score) and in 24 (Miller score) patients.
CONCLUSIONS:
Treatment with sodium selenite is well tolerated and easy to deliver. Additionally, our results suggest that sodium selenite has a positive effect on secondary-developing lymphedema caused by radiation therapy alone or by irradiation after surgery.
AuthorsOliver Micke, Frank Bruns, Ralph Mücke, Ulrich Schäfer, Michael Glatzel, Alexander F DeVries, Klaus Schönekaes, Klaus Kisters, Jens Büntzel
JournalInternational journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics (Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys) Vol. 56 Issue 1 Pg. 40-9 (May 01 2003) ISSN: 0360-3016 [Print] United States
PMID12694822 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Cobalt Radioisotopes
  • Sodium Selenite
  • Cisplatin
  • Fluorouracil
Topics
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
  • Breast Neoplasms (radiotherapy, surgery)
  • Cisplatin (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
  • Cobalt Radioisotopes (therapeutic use)
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
  • Humans
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy, radiotherapy, surgery)
  • Laryngeal Edema (drug therapy, etiology, surgery)
  • Lymph Node Excision (adverse effects)
  • Lymphedema (drug therapy, etiology)
  • Mastectomy
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Dissection
  • Pain Measurement
  • Radiation Injuries (drug therapy, etiology)
  • Radiotherapy (adverse effects)
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant (adverse effects)
  • Radiotherapy, High-Energy (adverse effects)
  • Sodium Selenite (therapeutic use)
  • Tracheostomy
  • Treatment Outcome

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