Post-
mastectomy chronic
lymphedema as a complication of
breast cancer treatment is primarily managed with Complete Decongestive
Therapy (CDT). We examined various factors for correlating with results of Phase I CDT treatment in controlling the upper extremity
lymphedema. Study population consisted of patients with
lymphedema referred to the
Lymphedema Clinic of the Iranian
Breast Cancer Research Center for control of arm
edema. After obtaining the demographic and clinical data, patients were treated with CDT for 2 - 3 weeks. One hundred and thirty seven patients (mean age +/- SD; 53.5 +/- 10 years) were studied. In 48.7% of patients, the affected arm was the dominant limb. Fifty percent of patients experienced
lymphedema during the first year after surgery, and mean duration of
lymphedema was 35 +/- 43 months. Mean volume reduction was 43% +/- 14.87% (p = 0.03). There was a significant relationship between the percent of volume reduction and initial
lymphedema volume (p=0.003) as well as duration of
lymphedema (p=0.002). Our results demonstrate that Phase I CDT treatment is very effective for
post mastectomy lymphedema, and particularly if it is provided in earlier stages of disease. In addition, CDT also has an important role in reducing clinical symptoms and improving limb function. In the appropriate setting, Phase I CDT has been an effective method of controlling
post mastectomy lymphedema in this Iranian population.