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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. 

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Key contact

Beth Russell beth.russell@svha.org.au 

Funding

Collaboration with Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative 
 

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