PaCCSC RAPID Series - Cancer-related Lymphoedema

• 
  Beth Russell

  beth.russell@svha.org.au
  +61 3 9231 2211

Project Details

A collaborative research project to examine the effectiveness of different therapies currently used to treat lymphoedema in people with cancer.

Title:  PaCCSC RAPID Series – Cancer-related Lymphoedema

Rationale: Lymphoedema is swelling of soft tissues in the limbs or other parts of the body due to a back-log of fluid. It is a common problem in cancer patients and can negatively affect quality of life by causing discomfort, disfigurement and loss of function and/or mobility. Various treatments are used to try to manage lymphoedema but none have a strong evidence base for cancer-related lymphoedema in the relatively frail population of patients receiving palliative care.

Key Aim (s): To explore the patterns of use, effectiveness, side effect and complication profile of three treatment strategies – 1) diuretics, 2) compression and related therapies, and 3) subcutaneous needle drainage – in the management of cancer-related limb lymphoedema in the palliative care patient cohort.

Potential Impact:  This collaborative work undertaken with PaCCSC (hyperlink) will inform key therapies to be further tested in clinical trials and guide practice to manage this difficult symptom.

Researchers

Key contact: Beth Russell beth.russell@svha.org.au

Collaborators

Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative

Funding

Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative