MLD in stage 4, OK?

Momine

A friend of a friend is dealing with stage 4 BC. She has mets in her liver and is having a rough time with the chemo she is currently on. I do not know much more than that. Her arm is swelling and causing her pain and discomfort. Her onc OK'ed lymph massage. When she went to a therapist, the person said that she wouldn't massage someone with an active cancer, because it would make the cancer spread. Any truth to this? Does it matter with an advanced stage 4 cancer?

ShazzaKelly

I can't answer now but I have developed lymphadema and will be seeing a someone who specialises in lymphatic drainage and oncology massage tomorrow. I'll let you know what she says. 

kira66715

Momine, not true at all! A long standing fallacy. There is some belief amongst LE therapists that doing MLD over active cancer can spread it, but no study proves it and for people with stage IV disease there is no scientific argument to deny them the pain relief from treating their LE.

The only thing to be concerned about is fluid shifts--if you do MLD, you bring fluid back into the circulation, and if someone has pleural effusions, it could make them worse, but with her onc watching carefully, she should be fine.

Her onc approved it, the therapist is misguided. But, when Binney went to an NLN conference maybe 6-8 years ago, it was a hot topic: should/could we treat stage IV people?? Yes!

Momine

Kira, thank you so much. That is what I suspected, but I wanted to make sure. You LE ladies are the best

bhd1

i have stage 4 and even have cancer in lymoh nodes in auxilla,  I do mld and use a pump

Momine

Bhd, thanks for weighing in. 

peacestrength

Momine - this is not true at all...I see a massage therapist who specializes in oncology patients in hospice and at her locations (that's where I see her).  She is careful around my arms and shoulders so not to aggravate or produce lymphedema in me.  Actually, she has helped my small patch of LD not get worse.

Hopefully your friend will get another referral for a MT.  I know some MT won't touch people who have or had cancer.  Best wishes to your friend.

Momine

Peace, thanks. That is what I thought, but wanted to check with the experts before saying anything.