Klin Onkol 2006; 19(5): 252-254.
Abstract
The upper limb lymphedema is a quite frequent complication in breast carcinoma patients after axillary dissection and/or radiotherapy. Its incidence is approximately 30%. However, few informations have been published about non-extremity lymphedema. Advanced non-extremity lymphedema is characterized by pain and/or edema of the breast or soft tissue in various regions of the chest (rarely also of the epigastrium). Very often the latent form of the non-extremity lymphedema remains undetected and, therefore, is not treated well. Detailed patient history and thorough clinical examination are basic presumptions of a correct diagnosis. Authors of this article have focused on the evaluation of the benefit of lymphoscintigraphy in patients with suspect non-extremity lymphedema. Besides breast lymphedema imaging, the lymphoscintigraphy enables to depict alternative lymphatic routes which drain to other than homolateral axillary nodes. This information can be important for the physical therapist in attempt of an effective manual lymph drainage.
