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Is physiotherapy an effective treatment for lymphoedema secondary to cancer treatment?

Renea V Johnston, Jeremy N Anderson and Barbara L Walker
Med J Aust 2003; 178 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05170.x
Published online: 3 March 2003

A physiotherapist at Monash Medical Centre wanted to know the most effective physiotherapy treatments for lymphoedema following treatment for breast cancer.


  • 1 Centre for Clinical Effectiveness, Monash University, Institute of Health Services Research, Monash Medical Centre, Southern Health, Clayton, VIC.
  • 2 Physiotherapy, Monash Medical Centre, Southern Health, Clayton, VIC.


Correspondence: 

  • 1. Browning C. The management of lymphoedema. In: Redman S, Pillar C, Turner, J, Boyle F, editors. Lymphoedema: prevalence, risk factors and management: a review of research. Sydney: NHMRC National Breast Cancer Centre, 1997.
  • 2. Megens A, Harris SA. Physical therapist management of lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer: a critical review of its effectiveness. Phys Ther 1998; 78: 1302-1311.
  • 3. Andersen L, Hojris I, Erlandsen M, et al. Treatment of breast-cancer-related lymphedema with or without manual lymphatic drainage — a randomized study. Acta Oncologica 2000; 39: 399-405.
  • 4. Badger CM, Peacock JL, Mortimer PS. A randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial comparing multilayer bandaging followed by hosiery versus hosiery alone in the treatment of patients with lymphedema of the limb. Cancer 2000; 88: 2832-2837.
  • 5. Dini D, Del Mastro L, Gozza A, et al. The role of pneumatic compression in the treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema. A randomized phase III study. Ann Oncol 1998; 9: 187-190.
  • 6. Hornsby R. The use of compression to treat lymphoedema. Prof Nurse 1995; 11: 127-128.
  • 7. Johansson K, Lie E, Ekdahl C, et al. A randomized study comparing manual lymph drainage with sequential pneumatic compression for treatment of postoperative arm lymphedema. Lymphology 1998; 31: 56-64.
  • 8. Johansson K, Albertsson M, Ingvar C, et al. Effects of compression bandaging with or without manual lymph drainage treatment in patients with postoperative arm lymphedema. Lymphology 1999; 32: 103-110.
  • 9. Bernas MJ, Whitte CL, Whitte MH. The diagnosis and treatment of peripheral lymphedema: draft revision of the 1995 Consensus Document of the International Society of Lymphology Executive Committee for discussion at the September 3-7, 2001, XVIII International Congress of Lymphology in Genoa, Italy. Lymphology 2001; 34: 84-91.
  • 10. Harris SR, Hugi MR, Olivotto IA, Levine M. Clinical practice guidelines for the care and treatment of breast cancer: 11. Lymphedema. CMAJ 2001; 164: 191-199.

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