Risk factors and prevention of lower extremity lymphedema after treatment for cervical cancer / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Cervical cancer is a common malignant tumor of female reproductive system. The treatment of cervical cancer is based on surgery and radiotherapy (or concurrent chemoradiation). Lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) is a frequent complication after cervical cancer treatment, which significantly affects the quality of life of patients. Both pelvic surgery and radiation for cervical cancer can lead to LEL. The risk factors for LEL are complicated and involving characteristics regarding patient (age, comorbidities, lifestyle, etc.), tumor [International Federation of gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, lymph node metastasis, etc.], and treatment (number of resected lymph nodes, removal of circumflex iliac nodes, adjuvant therapy, etc.). Comprehensive measures are proposed to prevent cervical cancer patients from LEL, and further investigations in terms of effectiveness are warranted.