remind me when I can do treatments when cancer is active

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allisontom911
allisontom911 Member Posts: 425
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hi gals, yes me again. I have active cancer again and my arm is so huge. I havent done my flexitouch in about 10 days. I havent worn any compression either. I was thinking that I can not do anything while this is in my nodes? PET scan and neck biopsy confirmed nodes in my neck and mediastinium again.

When is is safe to do treatment again? I should start new chemo this week

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited July 2013

    Allison, I cannot give any advice as to when to start your LE treatment again, but I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am to hear that you are going through this again.  I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

    Elaine

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited July 2013

    Allison, there used to be a belief that MLD could "move" cancer cells, but I don't think that's credible or proven. I think the key is to try and get some relief. Let me do some research and email some people who would know.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited July 2013

    Here's an abstract I found, I'll look for more. I'm not sure I can get this article, but I'll try

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16737666

    J Soc Integr Oncol. 2006 Winter;4(1):8-12.

    Can manual treatment of lymphedema promote metastasis?


    Source

    Radiation Oncology Department, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.


    Abstract

    Complete decongestive therapy (CDT; alternatively known as complete decongestive physiotherapy) is a treatment program for patients diagnosed with primary or secondary lymphedema. CDT incorporates manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), a technique involving therapeutic manipulation of the affected limb. There are several contraindications to performing CDT. Relative contraindications include hypertension, paralysis, diabetes, and bronchial asthma. General contraindications include acute infections of any kind and congestive heart failure. Malignant disease is also widely considered a general contraindication; a current vogue concept is that MLD will lead to dissemination and acceleration of cancer. However, cancer research supports the contention that this therapy does not contribute to spread of disease and should not be withheld from patients with metastasis. The intent of this article is to review these data.


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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2013

    hi kira, and hello allisontom911. we are sort of in the same boat. i already have lymphedema in my right arm. just last monday, had mammo, and they want to do a biopsy for "clusterd linear microcalcifications" in my good left boob. i am sure i blanched. not cuz cancer so much, but because of scaredness about more possible lymphedema. crap, sorry for me, sorry for you, sorry for ALL of us. today at one oclck is my biopsy, and i am scared crapless.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited July 2013

    Oh Kathec, it sure does change everything doesn't it? When I had my hysterectomy recently, I said to my husband, "You think life sucks now with LE in one arm, wait until it's both legs and an arm."

    One step at a time.

    Let's cross our fingers for benign false alarm, and limbo sucks the most, IMO.

    Hope you get a swift and reassuring answer after your biopsy.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited July 2013

    Alison, I heard back from a very thoughtful head of one of the major training schools for LE therapists, and he sent me articles, and said it is not contraindicated, he just wouldn't work right over the involved nodes.

    Hope you're feeling better.

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