New Review Data on Low Level Laser Therapy

Linda, my concern about the use of laser therapy for my lymphedema is that I don't think anyone knows what it might due to a quietly nestled tumor cell in the area.  It doesn't seem like a good idea to dose one of those with some outside energy I've never heard of any study looking at longterm risk of recurrence with this therapy.  

The University of Michigan is offering this treatment now - has anyone had it?

Denise and cookiegirl, as Outfield points out above, there has been no study looking at the potential for collateral damage from laser treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema. There is concern that the laser stimulates the growth of cancer cells, so that stray cells in the treated area could be affected, but no study has yet tracked that.

It's what these laser studies are NOT looking at that's worrisome. There are a lot of studies about laser treatment loosening up range of motion for several diagnoses, and as LindaLou's post mentions, there are some small studies that indicate that volume reduction occurs over the short term. But there's no indication that the reduction is maintained over time, and many women have reported that the laser "stopped working" for them.

But what's really worrisome is that no one has looked long term at the rates of either bc recurrence (laser effect on stray cancer cells) or RIBP for those women who have previously had high-dosage rads. If you don't look, you won't see. Also, of course, there are no longer-term studies showing mainenance of volume loss with continued usage.

Medical trials are often risky by their very nature, Cookiegirl, but all of us have benefitted from the courage (and perhaps the desperation) of women who have signed on to bc trials of drugs and other treatments. Of course some studies are riskier than others, and some are better set up to keep risks as low as possible. In the case of the study you're considering, they say they're looking at the long term effectiveness of laser treatment on LE, but I don't see anywhere that indicates they're also looking at long-term bc recurrence rates or the development of RIBP in those women who might be susceptable to it.

So, brava to those women who volunteer to try new treatments in studies, and brava to the researchers who look at the bigger picture and question closely the long-term safety of the tests they're doing.
Be well!
Binney

Hi cookiegirl1....my cookie twin

good to see something else in the works!

Bake sale anyone? Binney and purple TY. I will fill you in on what happened today on the Nervous thread in a while. GREAT NEWS!!! Just have to finish cooking dinner. I am baking bread right now too. Got the name cookiegirl from my BS receptionist. I bake when under stress, and bring assorted baked goods to all my docs and staff. Needless to say, I have been baking a lot lately. Don't forget this Saturday is Doctor Appreciation Day. Cheesecake for RO. I hope they all get fat!!!