cancer

Lymph arm.jpg

Lymphedema is an abnormal accumulation of protein and water that causes swelling, occurring most frequently in an arm or leg. Cancer interventions often damage portions of the lymphatic system and are the leading cause of lymphedema in the United States. The lymphatic system is a complex system made up of lymphatic fluid, lymph nodes, vessels, collectors, the spleen, and thymus. Its main functions are to drain substances that cannot be absorbed by the vascular system and also plays a role in your immune response.

Surgical procedures such a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node resection remove or damage lymph nodes in the affected region, decreasing your body’s ability to filter out this lymph fluid. Radiation treatment also poses a threat for lymphatic system damage. Since lymphatic vessels are mere millimeters beneath the surface of the skin, scar tissue formation along radiation treatment areas can impair lymphatic flow through these vessels. These cancer interventions compromise the lymphatic system which significantly increases the risk of developing lymphedema.

According to the Academy of Lymphatic Studies’, 50-75% of patients that have undergone a mastectomy secondary to breast cancer acquire lymphedema within 5 years. Any cancer that requires surgical intervention and/or radiation on or near the neck, armpit, or groin are also at an increased risk of developing lymphedema. Examples include the following: Breast, prostate, uterus, bladder, lymphoma, and melanoma. Although the majority of lymphedema diagnoses are secondary to cancer, lymphedema may also occur secondary a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system (primary lymphedema) or secondary to trauma, infection, malignant tumors, or chronic venous insufficiencies.

Early detection and management of lymphedema is key! Recognizing these early symptoms and talking with your doctor can ensure you receive proper lymphedema treatment and obtain adequate education and tools needed to manage your diagnosis.

Early signs and symptoms of lymphedema include the following and may come and go at first:

- Swelling in all or part of the affected region – pressing on the skin with your finger may leave an indentation, which is called pitting edema
- Abnormal feeling in the extremity, such as tingling, numbness, tight feeling, heavy felling, or just that something doesn’t feel right
- Rings or clothing fitting differently
- Veins or tendons harder to distinguish

Regardless of whether lymphedema was caused by cancer interventions or by another source, it is important to know that there are trained therapists nearby that can assist you in understanding your diagnosis. The current gold standard for lymphedema treatment is Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) which consists of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), compression bandage application, decongestive exercises and skin care. CDT is available locally at the Neuroscience Center in Ocean Springs and at the Medical Park in Pascagoula.

For additional information, please come to one of our free educational meetings held on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month on the 2^nd floor of the Neuroscience Center in Ocean Springs (building right next door to the Cancer Center).

This article was written by Jaime Garrett, MS, OTR/L for Encore Rehabilitation in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Hayden High School’s multi-sport athlete, Jadon Neely, is only 15 years old and is in a serious battle with cancer. His prognosis at this time is not that great, and he has already lost an arm to the cancer.

So what is Encore going to do about it? For the month of August we will donate $5 from every new membership sold. Our SportsFit members, will be able to run on the decorated cardio equipment and for every mile logged on those machines we will donate $0.25 to helping Jadon! We are also taking donations for the family as well~ We want you to get to know Jadon too, so here is his story:

“Jadon Neely is fifteen years old and attends Hayden High School in Hayden, Alabama where he plays football and basketball, his two favorite sports. Late February of 2015, he began complaining about his arm pain. In March, his pediatrician thought the pain was due to an overuse injury and sent him to physical therapy. After attending therapy nearly six weeks, Jadon broke his right arm and was taken to the local urgent care where the images showed an abnormal break in his humerus. They casted his arm and sent him to do an MRI the next morning that confirmed the suspicion of a tumor in his bone that was replacing his bone marrow. He was referred to an orthopedic specialist who began a series of testing including biopsy. On May 29th, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and was then was referred to an oncologist to begin chemotherapy. In spite of the best chemo that is offered for this disease, Jadon’s tumor continued to grow. When first diagnosed, it was roughly the size of a quarter- within eight weeks it was the size of a softball. He was given three options, the very best wasamputating his right arm in order to save his life. On July 29th, Jadon’s arm was removed from his shoulder. He was able to keep his clavicle and scapula and his shoulder muscles. He still has five more months of second line defense chemo, as well as, lung surgery to remove a spot. Jadon begins occupational therapy right away, then proceeds with physical and recreational therapy. Jadon’s prognosis for survival is low in the medical world, due to his response to front line defense chemo; however, he isn’t moved by a prognosis, but is moved by the promises of A Great Big God.”