Hot of the Press October 2025
Article to ponder
Latest BLS & LSN Cellulitis Guidelines: Cellulitis in lymphoedema requires urgent attention. A 14-day course of antibiotics is recommended, oral initially, with IV for severe cases. Preventing recurrence involves good skin care, consistent compression therapy, and treating fungal infections. For patients with two or more episodes in 12 months, prophylactic antibiotics should be considered. Educating patients to recognise early signs and begin treatment promptly is essential.
BLS and LSN, 2025. Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in lymphoedema
Key Takeaway: Treat cellulitis in lymphoedema urgently and completely to prevent recurrence.
We have collated some great articles and material published over the last month. Click on the links below to read the abstract or download the full paper.
Anatomy / Physiology /Pathophysiology
The pattern of arm lymphatic drainage and subclinical lymphedema progression after axillary lymph node dissection: a prospective cohort study
Identification of novel hub genes and pathways predictive of fibrosis progression in cancer-related lymphedema through integrated multi-omics
Lymphedema is a rare manifestation of lymphoma: A case series and literature review
Time-Dependent Changes in the Skin Hardness in Taxane-Induced Swollen Arms - click for abstract
Time-Dependent Changes in the Skin Hardness in Taxane-Induced Swollen Arms
Prevalence and Risk Factors
Head and neck lymphedema after radiotherapy – Prevalence, changes and associated factors – a prospective observational cohort study
Analysis of the Influencing Factors of Postoperative Lymphedema of Breast Cancer and the Influence of Axillary Reverse Mapping on Edema and Postoperative Quality of Life - click for abstract
Analysis of the Influencing Factors of Postoperative Lymphedema of Breast Cancer and the Influence of Axillary Reverse Mapping on Edema and Postoperative Quality of Life
The impact of breast reconstruction compared with no reconstruction on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review and meta-analysis - click for abstract
The impact of breast reconstruction compared with no reconstruction on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Association Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Lower-Limb Lymphedema Markers in Patients with Lymphedema Secondary to Gynecological Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study- click for abstract
Association Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Lower-Limb Lymphedema Markers in Patients with Lymphedema Secondary to Gynecological Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study
A dynamic nomogram predicting persistent breast cancer-related lymphedema: a retrospective cohort study in China - click for abstract
A dynamic nomogram predicting persistent breast cancer-related lymphedema: a retrospective cohort study in China
Are We Underestimating Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema? The Impact of Diagnostic Thresholds and Compression Therapy - click for abstract
Are We Underestimating Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema? The Impact of Diagnostic Thresholds and Compression Therapy
Assessment
Sentinel symptoms of breast cancer-related lymphedema across different lymphedema severity classes - click for abstract
Sentinel symptoms of breast cancer-related lymphedema across different lymphedema severity classes
PURPOSE: Twenty percent of post-surgery breast cancer patients exhibited lymphedema, which is typically classified into various severity classes. Sentinel symptoms that are crucial for identifying each lymphedema class remain unclear. This study aims to examine the sentinel symptoms of patients at different classes of lymphedema.
METHODS: This secondary data analysis examined two cross-sectional studies of post-surgery breast cancer patients. Participants’ symptoms occurrence and distress were assessed using the Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index. Lymphedema severity classes were defined based on interarm circumference differences. Apriori algorithms combined with the symptom occurrence was employed to determine the sentinel symptoms for each lymphedema class.
RESULTS: A total of 894 participants, aged 54.32 ± 11.28 years (range 26-85) were included. The prevalence of lymphedema was 28.64 %. The top three most frequent limb symptoms were arm-swelling heaviness, and fatigue. Based on interarm circumference difference, participants were classified into non-lymphedema (n = 371), subclinical (n = 267), mild (n = 135), or moderate-to-severe (n = 121) lymphedema. Sentinel symptoms for each class were as follows: fatigue, heaviness, and arm-swelling for the subclinical lymphedema; arm-swelling, limited-elbow-movement, limited-arm-movement, and firmness for the mild lymphedema; and fibrosis, stiffness, and limited-wrist-movement for the moderate-to-severe lymphedema (Support >. %, Confidence >. %, Lift >.
CONCLUSIONS: This evidence supported that sentinel symptoms are associated with different lymphedema classes. It emphasizes prompt identification and management of sentinel symptoms during follow-up care for breast cancer patients. Future research should validate these sentinel symptoms, explore the underlying mechanisms, and develop targeted interventions to alleviate them.:10.1016.102967
Long-term lymphedema and quality of life following lymph node staging in early cervical cancer: 3 years follow-up in the prospective multicenter SENTIREC CERVIX study - click for abstract
Long-term lymphedema and quality of life following lymph node staging in early cervical cancer: 3 years follow-up in the prospective multicenter SENTIREC CERVIX study
Management Strategies
Targeting Lymphedema in Overweight Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Diet and Exercise Intervention
What we cannot miss in clinical trials on compression therapy - click for abstract
What we cannot miss in clinical trials on compression therapy