Transcript No Slide Title

Lymphoedema
Physical and Psychological Aspects
Eleni Peratopoulou / Tina Rossidou
The Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society
The two phases of Complex Physical Therapy (C.P.T) are:
Introduction
Phase 1: reduce the swelling (a 3-4 week course of therapy)
Lymphoedema is a swelling that develops as a result of
an impaired lymphatic system. This may be a result of the
lymphatic system not developing properly (primary
lymphoedema) or through damage or trauma (secondary
lymphoedema). It can appear at any time or age and can
affect any part of the body; but is most commonly seen in
an arm or a leg. Lymphoedema can cause both physical
and psychological distress and it is important that both
aspects are addressed and treated.
Phase 2: maintain the reduction
Following a C.P.T. course, the patient feels better from the
various symptoms which may include:
• Swelling
Physiotherapy in Palliative Care is orientated to achieve
the optimum quality of life as perceived by the patient. It
aims to facilitate the patient’s ability to function with safety
and independence while facing diminishing resources.
Breast cancer survivors with arm lymphoedema have been
found to be more disabled, experience a poorer quality of
life, and have more psychological distress than do survivors
without lymphoedema. In addition, women reporting
swelling have reported significantly lower quality of life with
multiple functional assessments. http://www.cancer.gov
• Bursting sensation of the limb
Lymphoedema can cause psychological distress:
•Individual and group therapy
• Feeling of pins and needles
•Depression
•Support Groups
•Embarrassment, Self-Rejection and Self-Isolation
•Body-image distress
•Feelings of inferiority and inadequacy
Photos taken at the beginning of treatment and
eleven days later...
Psychological Help is Available
We help people deal with fear, isolation, body-image,
anger, depression, loss, despair, sadness, acceptance,
and other distressing issues
•Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
•Feelings of worthlessness and uselessness
•Sexual Dysfunction
•Anger, Despair, Humiliation
Conclusion
•Suspicion of others
Lymphoedema is an important consideration for clinicians
who care for cancer patients because of its relatively high
frequency and significant functional and quality of life
implications for patients. Lymphoedema is an independent
predictor of decreased quality of life, and clinicians are
urged to provide both physical and psychological therapies
to patients.
•Social inhibitions due to self-consciousness
•Self-esteem issues
skin care and the treatment of any infection
a special form of massage
compression bandaging
special exercises which supplement the massage
Massage is an
important aspect of
Complex Physical
Therapy Lymphoedema
treatment
Lymphoedema has a profound psychological impact on
the patient dealing with it. Little research has been
conducted and little is often said about the many effects
of lymphoedema.
• Heaviness
• Aching
A special physiotherapy treatment known as C.P.T. Complex Physical Therapy- can assist Palliative Care
patients suffering from lymphoedema and involves four
components:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Quality of Life
Coupling the physical difficulties, lymphoedema can
cause social inhibitions, psychological distress,
psychosexual problems and social anxiety.
The range of movement of the limb affected by
lymphoedema usually improves after C.P.T.
Physiotherapy
Psychosocial Impact
•Psychological pain associated with disfigurement,
pain and physical disability
…many avoid social situations in which their
lymphoedema causes a constant reminder of
their cancer experience…
For more information contact:
Patient A.S.1: 03/11/2008
The Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society
Patient A.S.1: 14/11/2008
Lymphoedema Clinic
The therapist is
administering
compression
bandaging to the
patient
The Cyprus Anti Cancer Society operates a
lymphoedema clinic since 2003 in Nicosia. It is housed at
“Arodaphnousa” Palliative Care Centre and it is operated
by the physiotherapy department. Most of the cases that
we take care of in our clinic are women suffering from
upper arm lymphoedema due to breast cancer and
axillary lymph node removal, or following radiation
treatment or a combination of both. All lymphoedema
cases are referred to the clinic by the physician treating
the patient.
Eleni Peratopoulou – Physiotherapist, Lymphoedema Therapist
Ph: + 357 22446327
Email: [email protected]
Tina Rossidou - Psychologist
Ph: + 357 22446295
Email: [email protected]
The multi-disciplinary team at the Palliative Care Centre
Web: http://www.anticancersociety.org.cy/