Early Rehabilitation After Surgery for Breast Cancer Reduces Lymphedema

The study showed that early rehabilitation may reduce the distressing effects of lymphedema that may develop after surgery for breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that can be completely treated when diagnosed at an early stage. Although treatment options vary depending on the extent of the cancer’s spread, patients are generally given treatments such as adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgical treatment. However, these methods may also bring some complications that cause discomfort to the patient. Mild or moderate lymphedema (swelling in the arm), seen in %20-30 of patients after surgery and/or radiotherapy, may cause distress as a side effect of the treatments. Many studies have recently been conducted to alleviate these types of problems, and it has been determined that rehabilitation (physiotherapy) applied in the early period after breast surgery reduces lymphedema.

In this article, I also wanted to share with you news that I believe is important for our patients with breast cancer. A recent study conducted at Alcalá de Henare University Hospital in Spain aimed to determine the effect of early physiotherapy applied after surgery for breast cancer on reducing the risk of lymphedema.

The study included 2005 women with breast cancer who underwent axillary lymph node surgery between May 2007 and June 116. The women selected for the physical therapy group received treatment under the supervision of a physiotherapist through a physiotherapy program that included progressively administered active manual lymphatic drainage (massage by hand), massage of scar tissue, and shoulder exercises. While this treatment continued, the same group was given education on arm and shoulder movements. The control group did not receive physical therapy; they were given only education on arm and shoulder movements to be performed by the patients themselves.

In conclusion;

• 116 women were followed for one year, and lymphedema developed in a total of 18 women in both groups. Of these patients, 14 were in the control group (the group that received education), while lymphedema was seen in only 7 of the patients who began rehabilitation in the early period. In light of the results obtained, the difference was a significant development.
• The frequency of lymphedema was found to be twice as high in patients in the control group compared with patients who received early rehabilitation.

It was determined that an early rehabilitation program may be effective in protecting patients from lymphedema for at least one year after surgery in patients with breast cancer who underwent axillary lymph node surgery.

The study results showed that rehabilitation may reduce the distressing effects of lymphedema that may develop after surgery for breast cancer. Minimizing the side effects experienced by the patient after such an important operation is one of the most important factors in ensuring the success of the treatment provided. Therefore, the results of the study are highly satisfying and encouraging for both patients and physicians.