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Prevention and Early Detection of Lymphedema
“Dr. Lisa Curcio is a strong an advocate for measures to prevent lymphedema.”
Lymphoedema is swelling that develops because there is a build-up
of lymph fluid in a part of the body. Lymphoedema 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].
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.
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. Early
detection can lead to early intervention and prevention of an
episode on clinical lymphedema.
More
information from Impedimed on Lymphedema -FDA Clearance Received
ImpediMed has received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for the L-Dex
U400, a bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) device to assist physicians
and other medical professionals in the clinical assessment of
unilateral lymphedema of the arm in female breast cancer patients.
This clearance marks the continued expansion of our L-Dex family of
products.
Recognizing lymphedema early
and treating it promptly may prove to be the best way to prevent and
manage the progression of the condition. Lymphedema can be
extremely debilitating and, if not detected early, may progress to
an irreversible condition. Treatment often involves exercise,
compression bandaging and pumps, and manual lymph drainage. Recent
findings from the National Institutes of Health have demonstrated
that preoperative assessment and continued surveillance enables the
early diagnosis and successful treatment of lymphedema. While the
study utilized a standardized volumetric technique for assessing the
lymphedema, it did demonstrate clearly the benefits of early
assessment and early detection potentially preventing the
progression of the disorder.
ImpediMed has over 10 years of peer-reviewed studies demonstrating
early detection with its BIS technology, and now with this FDA
clearance for the L-Dex U400, can aid clinicians with the routine
clinical assessment of patients, preoperatively and postoperatively.
ImpediMed is committed to assisting in advancing the new clinical
paradigm of earlier detection and earlier intervention to prevent
progression of lymphedema to benefit patients.
ImpediMed’s L-Dex technology utilizes the characteristics of
frequency-dependent current flow to quantify changes in
extracellular fluid in the patient’s limb. These changes can assist
the physician and medical professional in the clinical assessment of
patients for early signs of lymphedema. L-Dex technology is specific
for extracellular fluid. As fluid differences accumulate, L-Dex
values increase on the scale. The device provides an immediate
result and is offered with software for tracking changes in the
patient’s L-Dex value over time.
Note:
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.
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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