Journal of International Oncology››2013,Vol. 40››Issue (1): 36-39.

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Impact of upper limb exercise on breast cancer related lymphedema

ZHAO Sai, MENG Fan-Jie

  1. Department of Nursing, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China

  • Online:2013-01-08Published:2013-01-15
  • Contact:Corresponding author: MENG Fan-jie, E-mail: mfj1127@126.com E-mail:mfj1127@126.com

Abstract:Breast cancer related lymphedema is the accumulation of interstitial fluid due to the lymphatic fluid load exceeds its transport ability as a consequence of the lesion of lymphatic structure. It mainly presents as swelling of the affected limb, a feeling of heaviness or tightness in the limb, aching and restricted limb motion. Its incidence is related to surgery, chemical therapy, obesity, hypertention as well as the alteration of particular genes. To prevent the occurrence and exacerbation of lymphedema, patients should avoid the overuse of the affected limb. While limb exercise step by step can solve part of this problem, but not all, doctor should also take both the patterns of exercise and risk factors that patients expose into consideration, then make a individualized exercise plan, evaluate the condition precisely, in order to achieve the best treatment purposes.

Key words:Breast neoplasms,Lymphedema,Functional exercise