TY - JOUR T1 - Integrated Treatment of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema: A Descriptive Review of the State of the Art JF - Anticancer Research JO - Anticancer Res SP - 3233 LP - 3246 DO - 10.21873/anticanres.15109 VL - 41 IS - 7 AU - PAOLO MARCHICA AU - SALVATORE D’ARPA AU - STEFANO MAGNO AU - CRISTINA ROSSI AU - LUANA FORCINA AU - VITA CAPIZZI AU - SEBASTIANO OIENI AU - CARMELA AMATO AU - DARIO PIAZZA AU - VITTORIO GEBBIA Y1 - 2021/07/01 UR - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/41/7/3233.abstract N2 - Background/Aim: Upper limb breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic and severe condition affecting a significant percentage of breast cancer survivors. Even though its physiopathology is well-known, there is no worldwide consensus on BCRL evaluation and a gold-standard treatment. This narrative review aims at providing a brief descriptive overview with regard to BCRL treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: We conducted a literature search within the PubMed database, and 33 articles out of 56 were selected, including reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses aiming find the most updated evidence regarding BCRL treatment modalities. Results: Physical exercise (aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, aquatic therapy), bandages, and intermittent pneumatic compression were shown to be most effective in BCRL patients, in terms of swelling reduction in the acute-intensive phase. Furthermore, physical exercise was beneficial also as a maintenance tool. Manual lymphatic drainage demonstrated efficacy in preventing secondary lymphedema if applied immediately after breast cancer surgery or in early phases of BCRL or as a maintenance tool. Complementary procedures such as acupuncture, reflexology, yoga and photo-biomodulation therapy did not show conclusive results in BCRL treatment. Surgery was shown effective in managing symptoms (liposuction), preventing (lymphaticovenular anastomosis) and treating BCRL (vascularized lymph node transfer). Conclusion: BCRL is still a challenging condition either for breast cancer survivors and clinicians, deeply impacting patient functioning and quality of life. Due to the lack of globally accepted criteria in evaluating BCRL, to date a gold standard treatment for this widespread issue is still needed. ER -