Leung, E.Y., Tirlapur, S.A., & Meads, C. (2015). The management of secondary lower limb lymphoedema in cancer patients: A systematic review. Palliative Medicine, 29, 112–119.
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the evidence for the treatment of lower limb lymphedema in patients with cancer
PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship
The treatments included in this study were compression stockings, coumarin, pneumatic compression devices, microsurgery, manual lymphatic drainage, and an herbal remedy combining coumarin ginkgo and melitoto. There was a high risk of bias among the studies. Various methods of measuring limb volume were used. All studies reported favorable outcomes with a reduction of limb excess volume from 6.8% to 20%. The largest effect was reported with complete decongestive therapy. Some studies included patients with lymphedema etiologies other than cancer. Only one study using each type of intervention was found.
The effectiveness of various treatments for lower limb lymphedema are unclear because of the very limited evidence in this area.
There is very little evidence regarding the efficacy of various interventions for lower limb lymphedema in patients with cancer. Lymphedema can be disabling, and effective interventions have not been identified. This is an area in which additional, well-designed research is needed.