Research Article

Outcomes of complete decongestive therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema and determinants of treatment success

Volume: 6 Number: 5 October 24, 2025
TR EN

Outcomes of complete decongestive therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema and determinants of treatment success

Abstract

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) among patients suffering from breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) in the aspect of decrement of extremity volume and increment of functional status of upper extremity as well as patients’ quality of life (QoL). Methods: Retrospectively designed trial consists of forty women with BCRL who had received CDT phase-1. Staging was performed according to International society of lymphology (ISL) recommendations and lymphoscintigraphy both. All of the patients had received total of fifteen sessions, five sessions per week, for three weeks long, phase-one CDT which includes manual lymphatic drainage, multilayered compression bandage application, supervised exercise and skin care components. Outcome measures included extremity volumes calculated via frustum method based on circumferential measurements, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Upper Extremity Functional Index-15 (UEFI-15), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30). Assessments were performed at the beginning of the CDT and at the end of three weeks so as to be compared. Additionally features could have impact on treatment success were questioned. Results: Sample size of forty BCRL suffering women had mean age of 56.38±10.37. They had all significant reduction in edematous limb and gain in functional scores, decrement in fatigue and pain conditions. Some clinical and demographical properties showed differences in success of treatment. Conclusion: Along with contribution to the efficiency of CDT in management of BCRL the article represents roles of known risk factors on the success of treatment. While changes in volume measurements did not differ among groups based on clinical and demographical features, some items of QoL and functionality scales were different. Results thought the necessity of multidisciplinary management of BCRL in the aspects of comorbid diseases, medications, life style habits, social, financial and psychological status of the patients should be subjects.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Oncologic Surgery, Clinical Oncology, Radiation Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 24, 2025

Submission Date

September 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 22, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 6 Number: 5

APA
Akın, T., Akın, M., Küçük, A. İ., & Aydın Uzungöz, N. (2025). Outcomes of complete decongestive therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema and determinants of treatment success. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 6(5), 588-596. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1792069
AMA
1.Akın T, Akın M, Küçük Aİ, Aydın Uzungöz N. Outcomes of complete decongestive therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema and determinants of treatment success. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2025;6(5):588-596. doi:10.47582/jompac.1792069
Chicago
Akın, Türkan, Mustafa Akın, Ali İmran Küçük, and Nurhayat Aydın Uzungöz. 2025. “Outcomes of Complete Decongestive Therapy in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema and Determinants of Treatment Success”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 6 (5): 588-96. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1792069.
EndNote
Akın T, Akın M, Küçük Aİ, Aydın Uzungöz N (October 1, 2025) Outcomes of complete decongestive therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema and determinants of treatment success. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 6 5 588–596.
IEEE
[1]T. Akın, M. Akın, A. İ. Küçük, and N. Aydın Uzungöz, “Outcomes of complete decongestive therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema and determinants of treatment success”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 588–596, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1792069.
ISNAD
Akın, Türkan - Akın, Mustafa - Küçük, Ali İmran - Aydın Uzungöz, Nurhayat. “Outcomes of Complete Decongestive Therapy in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema and Determinants of Treatment Success”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 6/5 (October 1, 2025): 588-596. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1792069.
JAMA
1.Akın T, Akın M, Küçük Aİ, Aydın Uzungöz N. Outcomes of complete decongestive therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema and determinants of treatment success. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2025;6:588–596.
MLA
Akın, Türkan, et al. “Outcomes of Complete Decongestive Therapy in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema and Determinants of Treatment Success”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 6, no. 5, Oct. 2025, pp. 588-96, doi:10.47582/jompac.1792069.
Vancouver
1.Türkan Akın, Mustafa Akın, Ali İmran Küçük, Nurhayat Aydın Uzungöz. Outcomes of complete decongestive therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema and determinants of treatment success. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2025 Oct. 1;6(5):588-96. doi:10.47582/jompac.1792069

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