ArticleHealth science reports2025
Effect of Complex Decongestive Therapy on Quality of Life in Advanced Breast Cancer Patients With Upper Limb Lymphedema: A Quasi-Experimental Study From a Palliative Lymphedema Care Clinic in Bangladesh.
Article in Health science reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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3 authors.
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Abstract
Background and Aim: Lymphedema is a frequent and debilitating complication of advanced breast cancer that significantly impairs physical, psychological, and functional well-being. Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is considered the gold standard of conservative treatment, yet evidence from resource-limited settings such as Bangladesh remains scarce. To evaluate the effect of CDT on limb volume reduction and quality of life (QOL) among women with advanced breast cancer presenting with upper limb lymphedema in a palliative care setting in Bangladesh. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Palliative Lymphedema Care Clinic of a tertiary care hospital, between May 2023 to September 2023. Forty-two women with stage III-IV breast cancer and unilateral upper limb lymphedema were included. The patients received a standard 6-week CDT protocol, administered under the supervision of palliative care specialists in the clinic. Limb volume was measured using the circumference method, and QOL was assessed using the validated Bengali version of the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale (LLIS). Data were analyzed using paired Results: The mean age of participants was 50.2 years; most had stage IV cancer (54.8%) and ECOG performance status III (71.4%). After 6 weeks of CDT, limb volume significantly decreased (right arm: 2492.4 → 1586.4 cm³; left arm: 3505.6 → 1630.0 cm³; Conclusion: CDT effectively reduces limb volume and enhances QOL among advanced breast cancer patients with lymphedema. Timely initiation of CDT in palliative settings may maximize benefits, underscoring the importance of integrating structured lymphedema management within cancer care in Bangladesh.
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