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Prevention and Early Detection of Lymphedema
“Dr. Lisa Curcio is a strong an advocate for measures to prevent lymphedema.”
Lymphedema is swelling that develops because there is a build-up
of lymph fluid in a part of the body. Lymphedema occurs most often
in the arms or legs. But it can affect other parts of the body
(such as the trunk, groin or face), depending where the damage to
the lymph system.
The cause can be a cancer blocking the ducts and glands that the
lymph fluid would normally flow through. Or it may be scarring from
surgery or radiotherapy or infections that is blocking the lymph
ducts.
Studies show from 20% to 45% of patients who are at risk for
lymphedema will eventually develop it."
Wall Street Journal 2004 [5]
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Current Studies: Click
here to read current studies
on
lymphedema therapy.
NEW!
Certified Lymphedema Therapist now available. Welcome
Karen Wehner, MS, OTR/L,
CLT to Advanced Breast Care Specialist. Call for your private consultation.
Update:
An
August 2009 study by
Kathryn Schmitz, exercise scientist at the University of
Pennsylvania
as reported in the New England Journal of medicine documents Dr.
Curcio's recommendation to her patients to prevent lymphedema.
Read article and Dr. Curcio comments, click here.
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According to Dr. Lisa Curcio, the diagnosis, recognition and treatment of lymphedema has always
been problematic for breast cancer patients. The procedure of
sentinel node biopsy has revolutionized the treatment of breast
cancer in that women who do not have cancer cells identified in
their axilla do not need those lymph nodes removed. When this
procedure was first introduced the quoted rate of lymphedema was 1%
or less. Now that we have been performing this procedure for over 8
years, we now that the incidence is higher than those projected
numbers but much lower than the risk of lymphedema with axillary
node dissection (15-30%).
As a strong advocate for preventative measures to prevent
lymphedema, Dr. Curcio has partnered with local lymphedema
specialists and refers her patients for evaluation and education
during the postoperative period.
Lymphedema may be extremely debilitating and although it cannot be
cured, treatments often involving exercise, compression bandaging
and massage can arrest the condition. Early detection and therefore
early treatment are critical to providing the best patient outcome.
Dr. Curcio advices her patients to do exercises and perform measures
that can reduce the risk of this condition. You may
schedule a consultation with
Karen Wehner, MS, OTR/L, CLT for an assessment and
treatment. Call 949.770.0797 to schedule your consultation.
Welcome Karen Wehner,
MS, OTR/L,
CLT
Certified Therapist to treat Lymphedema
Dr. Curcio is excited to welcome Karen Wehner to her practice. Karen
has over 30 years of experience as an occupational therapist in
physical rehabilitation. She is a licensed OT and also holds an MS
in Gerontology. Karen received her certification as a lymphedema
therapist in 2001 and now exclusively practices lymphedema therapy,
with particular emphasis on breast cancer patients.
Her therapeutic interventions address shoulder problems and/or
swelling from lymphedema which can often interfere with functional
abilities in everyday life. Ms. Wehner is certified in Complete
Decongestive Therapy: manual lymph drainage (Vodder Technique),
proper skin care, exercises, and gradient compression via bandaging
or garments.
L-DEX
to Assess Lymphedema
Recently, Dr. Curcio was the first physician on the West Coast to
partner with ImpediMed and offered early detection of lymphedema
through a procedure using bioimpedence. This technology allows the
clinician to detect small amounts of extracellular fluid.
Read about the L-Dex used by Dr. Curcio to accurately assess
lymphedma.
Early
detection can lead to early intervention and prevention of an
episode on clinical lymphedema.
Read more about
"What
you should know about Lymphedema and Breast Cancer," click here.
Note: Lymphedema -FDA Clearance
received. ImpediMed’s L-Dex devices are not intended to diagnose or predict
lymphedema of an extremity.
For further information contact our office or refer to the
Impedimed website at
http://www.impedimed.com.
To learn more about lymphedema, visit:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm
Contact
Dr. Lisa
Curcio to discuss your risk for lymphedema and offer
early detection using a new non-surgical bioimpedence procedure.
Visit
"Advanced
Breast Care Specialists of Orange County" in
Mission Viejo, California.
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