Might Lymphatic Drainage Massage Cause Regional Spread?

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I'd like to return to getting LDM as I had after a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation last year but have since ben dx with a regional recurrence (not in breasts or other organs) only in lymph nodes in both axilla and supra-clavicular nodes.  However, given this odd spread, now i ma late stage, and I wonder if the spred is due to my LE treatment.  I cannot find anything definitive that says this doesn't happen. Instead, there are several studies that seem to indicate that there is no knowledge about whether this can happen.

V

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  • new_direction
    new_direction Member Posts: 449
    edited August 2013

    I understand your concern about this. I don't have any clear answers... I would expect the lymphatic invasion to happen regardless of LDM. That must be the first step before metastasizing. Maybe the LDM will lead the cells more quickly to lymph nodes. I think the massage helps drainage, blood flow and thereby removing of toxicities and therefore prevents more than harms spreading of disease. But thats just my guess...!

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

    i always wonder about that myself.

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  • rozem
    rozem Member Posts: 1,375
    edited August 2013

    interesting question...no, i dont think the lymph massage would have caused this spread, it would have happened anyway.  Our lymph system is always on the move so whether or not this was faciliated by massage I think is not relevant.  I had the same feeling about massage while i was undergoing neo adjuvant before my surgery - i kept thinking that the massage was going to move stuff around (if the tumor was still active)  But, think about it, moving your arms, sleeping on my stomach etc all squish, move things.  Dont dwell on this as the cause - thas this beast is unpredictable and has a mind of its own it seems 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    Hi rozem, I am not focused on finding causal connection as regards blame.  I want to know whether I can safely engage in this activity.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    "and I wonder if the spred is due to my LE treatment"



    HVV sorry if Im misunderstanding you but have you changed your mind since the above?



    If it was me, Id be interested if it was to blame because it would surely affect the safety of taking it up now, right?



    Its an interesting question thats for sure.

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited August 2013

    HVV - It's my understanding that there is no clear evidence that MLD can cause the spread of cancer. However, my LE therapist told me that they don't like to do it in an area where there is active cancer. So, it's my understanding that you should not do MLD in the supraclavicular or axillary area on the affected side. However, MLD on the opposite side, abdoman and groin will still help to decongest the LE. Here's hoping that they regional recurrance is successfully treated.

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