Acupuncture May Reduce Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Cancer journal findings suggest acupuncture may be a safe, effective alternative for lymphedema after breast cancer underarm surgery.

In early-stage breast cancer, determining whether the disease has spread to the underarm lymph nodes plays an important role in staging. Because sentinel nodes are the first lymph nodes to which cancer will spread, sentinel lymph node biopsy is frequently used for this assessment. If cancer is found to have spread to the sentinel lymph nodes, the patient will undergo more extensive underarm lymph node surgery. The most common side effect of this operation is lymphedema in the arms. In other words, this is swelling caused by the accumulation of lymph fluid in the arm.

Lymphedema can develop immediately after surgery or weeks, months, or even years later. Approximately %30 of patients who have recovered from breast cancer are affected. It may cause discomfort, pain, or even disability. Various methods are used under medical supervision to treat lymphedema, and different strategies are applied to relieve its troublesome effects. However, these strategies can be expensive and may require continuous intervention.

Researchers working hard to identify complementary treatment options conducted a pilot study involving patients with lymphedema lasting from 6 months to 5 years following underarm surgery for breast cancer, a total of 33 patients. Participants with lymphedema measuring 2 cm or more received acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks. Their arms were measured before and after treatment, and the data were recorded. Following the 4-week treatment period, participants were observed for 6 months, with complaints and patient-reported lymphedema status assessed.

The study found that lymphedema measured in the arms of 11 patients decreased by %30 or more; in 18 patients, the decrease exceeded %20. The overall reduction measured around the arm's circumference was recorded as 0.90 cm. Most participants (%76) received all eight treatments; %21 missed one treatment, and one patient missed two treatments.

No infections or other serious side effects occurred after treatment. During treatment, minor complaints such as mild local bruising or pain/tingling were recorded among the 33 participants in 14 patients.

Researchers concluded that acupuncture may be effective and safe for lymphedema associated with breast cancer. Although research on the subject continues, acupuncture has the potential to be considered a complementary method that can reduce lymphedema in patients with no other option.

However, one of the most important aspects of preventing lymphedema, a side effect encountered in breast cancer, is taking precautions early after surgery. This avoids the subsequent need to seek alternatives for troublesome side effects that develop later. Your doctor will determine the measures to take before breast cancer treatment to prevent lymphedema, helping achieve successful treatment outcomes.