How to Cure Lymphedema

How to Cure Lymphedema

Yet another “new” item that seems to be showing up in regards to lymphedema is the claim that you can cure lymphedema.

Use this lotion - take this potion!

In the days of the old West, we always hear the stories of snake oil salesmen traveling through the countryside with their wagons hustling “magical cures” for all ailments.

We are much more sophisticated today, now we use the internet to sell the snake oil.

Please understand that as of this date (Dec. 31, 2011) there is absolutely no “cure” for this condition. Don't be misled by someone who claims to have such cure. Certain techniques that claim to cure lymphedema is exercise and/or microsurgery, lymph node transplant. First, there is absolutely no evidence to support the claim the early intervention and exercise can cure LE. Microsurgery does hold promise and some have had initial good results. However, that is still considered as experimental and there are no studies out showing the long term results (10 years).

Lymph node transplant is also very very early in its use and is considered quite controversial and is very much experimental. Also, because there is mounting evidence that anyone who gets secondary lymphedema was born with a defective lymph system. Yanking out nodes in these individuals to put elsewhere is simply transferring the locale of the potential start of lymphedema. We need honest, clear independent clinical research on outcomes that cover not simply a couple years or even five years, but much further out to include 10 years and 20 years.

Why is there no cure?

The understanding of this, rests in the pathophysiology of lymphedema. Lymphedema is caused by either trauma/damage to the lymphatics and/or being born with a malformed lyhmp system. Those born with it may also be missing lymph nodes throughout their body. This is why I had LE from birth. I am missing critical inguinal lymph nodes as demonstrated by a lymphangiogram I had back in 1966,

The only way to cure lymphedema is to have that lymph system repaired (healed) or to have any missing nodes regrown.

There is no way of doing that, at the moment. There IS promising research going on, but we are still a long way off.

Believe me, if anyone would hope for a cure for this rotten condition it would be me. Mine started from birth some 50 years ago and presently I am having to cope with many complications, some of which includes lymphoma (a lymphatic cancer) and had massive pleural effusions.

Continued:  How to Cure Lymphedema

Experimental Lymphedema: Can Cellular Therapies Augment the Therapeutic Potential for Lymphangiogenesis?

Experimental Lymphedema:  Can Cellular Therapies Augment the Therapeutic Potential for Lymphangiogenesis?

2012

Stanley G. Rockson

Journal of the American Heart Association

Case presentation on the treatment outcome of CDT in primary lymphedema

Case presentation on the treatment outcome of CDT in primary lymphedema

Primary Lymphedema 

The Unilateral Lower Extremity; Methods and Results

A Case History

By John Mulligan, RMT/CLT-LANA

Clinical Specialist with Lymphedema Depot Ltd
Importer of Solaris lymphedema care products

Article:

Solaris Med

A newly designed SIPC device for management of lymphoedema.

WARNING TO ALL LYMPHEDEMA PATIENTS

This abstract is a prime example of just how bad information can be that is presented even through PubMed.

Lymphology 101 clearly shows that high pressure pneumatic devices can cause serious damage to the good lymphatics, making lymphedema even worse.

Read this for education, but please, please, please, what ever you do never ever ever set the compression level on high if you use a pneumatic device.

A newly designed SIPC device for management of lymphoedema.

PubMed

Pat

Therapeutic lymphangiogenesis with implantation of adipose-derived regenerative cells.

Therapeutic lymphangiogenesis with implantation of adipose-derived regenerative cells.

Aug 2012

Shimizu Y, Shibata R, Shintani S, Ishii M, Murohara T.

Source

Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Lymphedema is one of the serious clinical problems that can occur after surgical resection of malignant tumors such as breast cancer or intra-pelvic cancers. However, no effective treatment options exist at present. Here, we report that implantation of adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) can induce lymphangiogenesis in a mouse model of reparative lymphedema.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

 ADRCs were isolated from C57BL/6J mice. To examine the therapeutic efficacy of ADRC  implantation in vivo, we established a new mouse model of tail lymphedema. Lymphedema was improved significantly by local injection of ADRCs. Histological analysis revealed that lymphatic capillary density was greater in the ADRC group than in the phosphate-buffered saline control group. Tissue expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C mRNA and plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor C  ADRCs released vascular endothelial growth factor C, which directly stimulated lymphangiogenesis. Implantation of ADRCs also enhanced recruitment of bone marrow-derived M2 macrophages, which served as lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

Implantation of autologous ADRCs could be a useful treatment option for patients with severe lymphedema.

PubMed

The Lymphedema Treatment Act

Welcome to the Lymphedema Treatment Act website!

This bill, sponsored by Congressman Larry Kissell of North Carolina, would offer coverage for Medicare beneficiaries with lymphedema from any cause.  Although this legislation relates specifically to a change in Medicare law, it would almost certainly result in all private insurance policies following suit.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!  We have no paid lobbyists; our cause is entirely grassroots and patient driven.  Please explore the site to learn more, then complete as many of the simple steps under the “How You Can Help” menu as you can.  The single most important thing you can do is take just a couple of minutes to 
Contact your members of Congress using our simple submission form.

Untreated lymphedema is progressive and leads to infection, disfigurement, disability and in some cases even death.  Thus, prognosis for the patient is far worse and treatment more costly when the disease is not identified and treated in the earlier stages.

The Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Cost Saving Act of 2011, HR 2499,
will improve coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema.

Specific goals of the bill are:

Comprehensive treatment coverage, according to current medical treatment standards, for individuals with and at risk for lymphedema;

The ability to add new treatment modalities to coverage as they become available and are approved;

Preoperative measurements for cancer patients to aid in early detection and diagnosis;

To provide for lymphedema patient education in the procedures for self-treatment so as to transfer the treatment from the clinical to the home setting;

To enable patient self-treatment plan adherence by providing necessary medical supplies for use at home, as prescribed for each patient (compression garments, compression bandages, other compression devices, pneumatic compression pumps, etc);

Reduction in total healthcare costs through avoidance of periodic infections, pain and disabilities resulting from this medical condition.

Lymphedema Treatment Act website

Lymph Node Transfer and Perinodal Lymphatic Growth Factor Treatment for Lymphedema.

Sept 2012

Honkonen KM, Visuri MT, Tervala TV, Halonen PJ, Koivisto M, Lähteenvuo MT, Alitalo KK, Ylä-Herttuala S, Saaristo AM.

Source

*A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland †Department of Plastic Surgery, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland ‡Department of Biostatistics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland §Molecular/Cancer Biology Program and Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:  In the lymph node transfer method, lymphatic anastomoses are expected to form spontaneously. However, lymphangiogenic growth factor therapies have shown promising results in preclinical models oflymphedema. Our objective was to define the optimal growth factor treatment to be used in combination with lymph node transfer to normalize lymphatic vascular anatomy. 

METHODS:  The inguinal lymphatic vasculature of pigs was surgically destroyed around the inguinal lymph node. To enhance the regrowth of the lymphatic network in the defected area, adenoviral vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) was administered intranodally or perinodally. Control animals received injections of saline or control vector. The lymphangiogenic effect of the growth factor therapy and any potential adverse effects associated with the 2 alternative delivery routes were examined 2 months postoperatively. 

RESULTS:  Both routes of growth factor administration induced robust growth of lymphatic vessels and helped to preserve the structure of the transferred lymph nodes in comparison with the controls. The lymph nodes of the control treated animals regressed in size and their nodal structure was partly replaced by fibro-fatty scar tissue. Intranodally injected adenoviral VEGF-C and adenoviral vector encoding control gene LacZ induced macrophage accumulation inside the node, whereas perinodal administration of VEGF-C did not have this adverse effect. 

CONCLUSIONS:  Lymphangiogenic growth factors improve lymphatic vessel regeneration and lymph node function after lymph node transfer. The perinodal route of delivery provides a basis for future clinical trials in lymphedema patients.

Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

Editor's Note:

This is presented for information only and should not be mistaken as an endorsement of lymph node transfer.  This experimental treatment technique needs more extensive studies before it can be determined that it is both safe and effective for the patient.  Pat O'Connor