Tratamento intensivo do linfedema pós-terapia do câncer de mama

Abstract

Lymphedema is seen in from 6% to 49% of patients submitted to the surgical treatment of breast cancer. Even so, there is a scarcity of clinical studies in specific areas to support and guide the treatment of this type of edema. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate reductions in volume resulting from the intensive treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema. Patients and Methods: A quantitative prospective clinical trial was performed of 15 upper limbs with breast cancer-related lymphedema in the clinic Godoy in 2014. As proposed by Godoy & Godoy, the intensive treatment used combined different therapiesforabout8 hours/day in an attempt to reduce the lymphedema in a short time. The treatment program included 3 to 4 hours/day of Manual Lymphatic Therapy (Godoy & Godoy Technique), 4 to 5 hours/day of Mechanical Lymphatic Therapy (RAGodoy® device), 20 minutes/day of cervical stimulation and continued use of an inelastic compression stocking made of grosgrain fabric. The sizes of the arms were measured by volumetry at before starting and after five days of treatment. The paired t-test was used for statistical analysis and an alpha error of 5% was considered acceptable. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto, SP. Results: The mean volume loss of the arms during intensive treatment was 45.87% (p-value < 0.0001). Conclusion: Intensive treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema is a therapeutic option that allows significant reductions in volume in a short period of time; this technique maybe an initial approach in respect to major deformities.