Hot off the Press June 2026

Article to ponder

Artificial intelligence tools are increasingly used by patients to access information about lymphedema, raising concerns about quality, accuracy, and readability. This study compared ChatGPT and Gemini responses to common lymphedema questions using expert evaluation and readability analysis.
Both systems produced generally similar and reasonably accurate responses, with only minor differences in a few questions. However, ChatGPT was more readable and understandable in around 70% of responses compared to Gemini. Overall, AI can provide useful patient information, but guidance from healthcare professionals remains essential.
Digital Experts in Lymphedema: Assessing the Quality and Readability of Responses from ChatGPT and Gemini.
Pirincci, C. S., Cihan, E., Uzelpasaci, E., & Pacaci, A. B. (2026). Lymphology, 59(1), 27-34.

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Key Takeaway: ChatGPT and Gemini provide similarly accurate information, but ChatGPT is more readable and user‑friendly.

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

Mechanisms and treatments of lymphedema

He Ren, Yanhong Gong, Shuting Zhang, Jing Liu, Jiahe Shen, Oksana Gizinger, Tamara Aripova, Ju Liu. Front Immunol. 2026 Apr 23

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The Cellular and Biophysical Origins of Microvascular Vasomotion: A Scoping Review

Alexis C. Spencer-Vargas, Coleman Nelson, London Danchulis, Yama Xu, Luca Walborn, Harvey N. Mayrovitz. Cureus. 2026 Apr 23

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Keratinocytes: A key player in skin immunity and their emerging roles in secondary lymphedema

Xizhao Chen, Kevin Kuonqui, Sarit Pal, Jinyeon Shin, Annica Stull-Lane, Gopika Ashokan, Geoffrey Hespe, Babak J. Mehrara, Raghu P. Kataru. JID Innov. 2026 Mar 30. Jul.

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 Breast Edema in Women With Arm Lymphedema Following Breast-Conserving Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Barletti, P. S., Moldovan, M. T., Latif, M., Bryan, S., Blair, G., & Mayrovitz, H. N. (2026). Cureus, 18(5).

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Unveiling global interest in lymphedema: A decade of search data through google trends global interest in lymphedema: A google trends analysis

Ömer Faruk Bucak. Phlebology. 2024 Dec 21.

INTRODUCTION: The increasing reliance on Internet search engines for health-related queries requires a thorough evaluation of the public’s engagement with medical information. This study aims to analyze global trends in interest in lymphedema over the past decade using Google Trends (GT).
METHODS: A physiatrist with expertise in lymphedema management identified and analyzed 12 key search terms according to the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) guidelines. These terms included ‘lymphedema swelling’, ‘lymphedema treatment’, ‘lymphedema stages’, ‘compression therapy for lymphedema’, ‘manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)’, ‘complete decongestive therapy (CDT)’, ‘pneumatic compression pump’, ‘lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA)’, ‘lymphedema surgery’, ‘liposuction for lymphedema’, ‘lymphedema prevention’ and ‘post-cancer lymphedema’. GT data was collected using filters set to ‘web search’, ‘all categories’, and ‘worldwide’ to provide a comprehensive overview. The analysis was conducted for two five-year intervals: 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2019 and 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2024. Relative search volume (RSV) was calculated for each term and compared to quantify changes over time.
RESULTS: Significant increases in search activity were observed for ‘lymphedema swelling’, ‘lymphedema treatment’, ‘lymphedema stages’, ‘manual lymphatic drainage’, ‘lymphedema surgery’, and ‘post-cancer lymphedema’ in the second period (p = 0.001 for each). The average GT score increased from 19 in 2014-2019 to 29 in 2019-2024 (p = 0.001), reflecting a significant increase in public awareness and interest.
CONCLUSION: The study shows a significant increase in global public interest in lymphedema and its minimally invasive treatments over the past 5 years, suggesting a growing awareness of the condition. These findings highlight the need for improved patient education and research to meet the increasing demand for lymphedema care.:10.1177/02683555241310749

Prevalence and Risk Factors

Impact of chemotherapy on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a retrospective study

Liqin Wang, Yuemin Weng, Weiqi Wei, Jun Bu, Cici Zhang. Front Oncol. 2026 Apr 27.

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Assessment of a risk warning model for depression in lymphedema patients after breast cancer surgery

Linli He, Yanyan Feng, Hui Li, Youcheng Huang, Yonghong Lu, Hong Wang, Congying Zhang, Xi Yang. Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 May 8

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Factors influencing the incidence of postoperative lymphedema in patients with locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer

Zhi-Yong Liu, Ran Chen. World J Surg Oncol. 2026 May 22.

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Assessment

Axillary Web Syndrome in Newly Diagnosed Individuals After Surgery for Breast Cancer: Baseline Results From the AMBER Cohort Study

Margaret (Margie) McNeely, Kerry S. Courneya, Mona M. Al Onazi, Qinggang Wang, Stéphanie Bernard, Leanne Dickau, Jeffrey K. Vallance, S. Nicole Culos-Reed, Charles E. Matthews, Lin Yang, Christine M. Friedenreich. Physiother Can. 2025 Nov 30. 

Purpose: To examine potential associations between post-surgical axillary web syndrome (AWS) and demographic, medical, surgical, and health-related fitness variables in newly diagnosed individuals with breast cancer.

Method: Participants were recruited between 2012 and 2019. Objective measures of health-related fitness, body composition, shoulder range of motion (ROM) and function, and AWS were performed within 3 months of breast cancer surgery.

Results: AWS was identified in 243 (17.3%) participants and was associated with poorer shoulder ROM and function, and higher pain compared with women without AWS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified axillary lymph node dissection versus sentinel lymph node biopsy (OR 3.97; 95% CI: 2.62, 6.03), mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery (OR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.17, 2.19), lower versus higher total percentage body fat (OR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.34), and earlier versus later time from surgery (OR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.23) as significantly associated with a higher odds of AWS. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (OR 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.08) and university or higher education (OR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.00) were also associated with higher odds of presenting with AWS.

Conclusions: Findings highlight the need for increased awareness of AWS to facilitate early detection and physiotherapy intervention in the early post-surgical period.:PMC13132589

Diagnosing Lymphedema After Axillary Surgery: A Prospective Comparison of Bioimpedance, Tape Measurement, and Perometer in Patients Treated with Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

Andrea V. Barrio, Brian Diskin, Bayley Axelrod, Varadan Sevilimedu, Babak Mehrara, Monica Morrow. Ann Surg. 2026 May 13.

OBJECTIVE: This study prospectively compared lymphedema rates with perometer, tape measure, and bioimpedance spectroscopy (L-Dex) in patients with breast cancer undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).
BACKGROUND: Perometer, tape measure, and L-Dex are all used for diagnosing lymphedema, although lymphedema rates may vary between these techniques. METHODS: From November 2016 to March 2020, patients who underwent ALND had arm measurements performed preoperatively and biannually with perometer, tape measure, and L-Dex. A lymphedema diagnosis was made if arm volume increased by ≥10% by perometer or tape measure, or if L-Dex increased ≥6.5 units from baseline. We assessed concordance between the different measurement techniques using scatter plots, Pearson correlations, and Cohen’s Kappa statistic.
RESULTS: We included 281 patients who underwent ALND and had at least one follow-up (median, 2.3 years; >1100 follow-up measurements). Two-year lymphedema rates were 21.9% with perometer, 34.6% with tape measure, and 67.5% with L-Dex. Evaluating all timepoints, we found moderate correlation between perometer and tape measure (R=0.67, P<0.001), perometer and L-Dex (R=0.66, P<0.001) and tape measure and L-Dex (R=0.57, P<0.001). Diagnostic agreement was weak between perometer and L-Dex (k=0.29, P<0.001), and tape measure and L-Dex (k=0.28, P<0.001); and moderate between perometer and tape measure (k=0.51, P<0.001).
CONCLUSION: In our prospective ALND cohort, perometer, tape measure, and L-Dex demonstrated moderate correlation between measurements, and weak-to-moderate diagnostic agreement. Lymphedema rates varied between measurement techniques, with the highest rates observed with L-Dex, raising concern for overdiagnosis.:10.1097

The structured light scanner is a reliable, valid, and clinically feasible 3D laser scanner to assess leg volume in patients with leg lymphedema

Charlotte Van Calster, Wouter Everaerts, Inge Geraerts, An De Groef, Juliette Weerts, Ann-Sofie Vergauwe, Luc Labey, An-Kathleen Heroes, Nele Devoogdt. Disabil Rehabil. 2026 May 23.-14.

PURPOSE: To investigate the reliability, concurrent validity, and clinical feasibility of a structured light scanner (SLS) for measuring leg volume in patients with lymphedema.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leg volume was measured using the SLS, circumference measurements, and optoelectronic volumetry. Intra-and inter-rater reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM), and smallest real difference (SRD). Concurrent validity was determined by calculating correlation coefficients. Clinical feasibility was evaluated through timing of procedures and a purpose- designed questionnaire.
RESULTS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Center for Lymphedema, University Hospital Leuven, involving 33 patients (66 legs) with predominantly secondary (70%) and stage 2a (73%) lymphedema (NCT07017166). All three methods showed excellent reliability. Circumference measurements had the highest intra-rater (ICC: 0.999) and inter-rater (ICC: 0.999) reliability, followed by optoelectronic volumetry (intra-rater ICC: 0.988; inter-rater ICC: 0.994) and the SLS (intra-rater ICC: 0.986; inter-rater ICC: 0.982). SLS showed a strong correlation with circumference measurements and with optoelectronic volumetry. The SLS was the most clinically feasible.
CONCLUSION: The SLS demonstrates good reliability and concurrent validity for assessing leg volume and appears to have fewer practical limitations than conventional methods, although further research is needed to reduce measurement error and confirm clinical implementation.:10.1080/09638288.2026.2663759

Assessing Unilateral Arm Lymphedema Status Using Interarm Tissue Dielectric Constant Ratios

Harvey N. Mayrovitz. Lymphology. 2026. 

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Health and quality of life in patients with leg lymphedema during maintenance phase

Thomas Benz, Stephan Wagner, Susanne Lehmann, Peter S. Sándor, Felix Angst. Vasa. 2026 Apr 27.

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Breast cancer-related lymphedema of the upper limb: integrating early surveillance and functional surgery into a synergistic management paradigm

Tao Wu, Baixin Li, Bingyang Ma, Fuxing Zhao, Yan Li, Zhen Liu. Front Surg. 2026 Apr 20. 

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Prolongation of Postoperative Drainage Time in Indocyanine Green Lymphography as a Potential Marker for Lymphedema Development-A Prospective Pilot Study

Karolina Anuszkiewicz, Marcin Ekman, Mateusz Drozd, Kamil Drucis, Jerzy Jankau. J Clin Med. 2026 May 1.

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Management Strategies

Efficacy of gradient compression sleeves in preventing postoperative upper extremity lymphoedema after breast cancer surgery

Yanyan Liao, Meijie Chen, Qiuchen Ji, Cuifeng Jin, Xiaoyu Zhu, Lijuan Xie, Weijuan Yang, Lili Wang. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2026 Apr 29.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a serious complication after breast cancer surgery. This study evaluated the efficacy of gradient compression sleeves in preventing BCRL.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 104 postmastectomy patients were randomized to conventional care (n = 52) or conventional care plus gradient compression sleeves (20-30 mmHg) for 12 months. The primary outcome was arm circumference change at 10 standardized sites measured at 90, 180, and 360 days post-surgery for evaluating efficacy. Secondary outcomes included Breast Cancer Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index (BCLE-SEI) for symptom severity and life impact for evaluating safety. Blinding of participants was not feasible due to the nature of the intervention.
RESULTS: The intervention group showed significantly smaller increases in arm circumference at multiple sites at 180 and 360 days (p < 0.05). BCLE-SEI scores for symptom severity and life impact were significantly lower in the intervention group (p < 0.05). No serious adverse events occurred; 8 mild transient skin irritations were reported.
CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic gradient compression sleeves may reduce BCRL progression and improve quality of life. Limitations include single-center design and lack of blinding.
REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry(ISRCTN44170920).:10.1080/17434440.2026.2664423

Does Bariatric Surgery Improve Lymphedema? A Scoping Review

Jorge Urbina, Benjamin Clapp. Obes Surg. 2026 May 25. 

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Photobiomodulation in Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer-Related Chronic Lymphedema: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Jie Deng, John N. Lukens, Barbara A. Murphy, Erin McMenamin, Karthik Rajasekaran, Ryan J. Quinn, Joy C. Cohn, Wendy Schlessinger, Lucy P. Andersen, Bryan A. Spinelli, Alexander Lin. Integr Cancer Ther. 2026 May 3.

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“Debulking” the future of lymphedema surgery: A narrative review

Tarini Mudunuri, Hemalatha Pasupuleti, Satyamedha Bathula, Bijily Babu, Francisco M. Lara-Salazar, Meghana Singh, Sudharsan Ramapriya, Juan E. Zubillaga Gutierrez, Sanjeeve R, Santiago Lara-Salazar, Omar Kasimieh, Glorya J. Kuriakose, Long Yin Cai, Ramsha Ali. JPRAS Open. 2026 Jul.

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Night-time compression with a Mobiderm auto-adjustable arm-sleeve in addition to daytime compression was superior to daytime compression alone for maintenance therapy of upper limb lymphedema in breast cancer patients in a randomized controlled trial: LYMphoNIGHT study

Pinar Borman, Sandrine Mestre, Burcu Duyur Cakit, Pascal Giordana, Busem Atar, Eve Vernhet, Sophie Blaise, Isabelle Quéré. Support Care Cancer. 2026 May 7.

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Changes in Vascular, Lymphatic, Inflammatory, and Lipid Mediators During a 7-Month Calorie-Restricted Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Dietary Intervention in Women with Lipedema: A Preliminary Prospective Study

Angelika Chachaj, Mariusz Fleszar, Łukasz Lewandowski, Paulina Fortuna, Gabriela Maciejewska, Monika Sowicz, Agnieszka Adaszyńska, Urszula Jakobsche-Policht, Małgorzata Krzystek-Korpacka, Andrzej Szuba, Małgorzata Jeziorek. Nutrients. 2026 Apr 28.

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Can Resistance Training Prevent Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Raúl Alberto Aguilera-Eguía, Carlos Zaror, Ruvistay Gutiérrez-Arias, Olga Patricia López, Héctor Fuentes-Barria, Barbara Burgos Mansilla, Ángel Roco-Videla, Naira Figueiredo Deana, Mariana Melo-Lonconao, Xavier Bonfill, Pamela Serón. J Clin Med. 2026 Apr 26.

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Best Evidence for the Exercise-Based Management of Lower Limb Lymphedema After Gynecological Cancer: A Systematic Review and Evidence Synthesis.

Zhang, Chaonan, et al. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare (2026): 588181.

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Non-pharmacological therapies for breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review and network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.
Fang, N., Xin, H., & Wu, M. Frontiers in Oncology, 16, 1828957.

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From Mobility to Management: A Scoping Review on Exercise in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.
Pirincci, C. S., Gercek, H., Cihan, E., Durmaz, E. D., & Sari, Z. (2025). Clinical Breast Cancer.

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