Complex decongestive therapy in hidradenitis suppurativa-related genital lymphoedema: a case report.

Genital lymphoedema is a rare but debilitating and disfiguring complication of longstanding hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Despite the existence of medical and surgical methods that offer varying success rates in a limited number of cases, no data exist about the use of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) in HS-related genital lymphoedema. This case report describes the treatment and outcome of a 56-year-old male patient with severe scrotal lymphoedema due to underlying HS (Hurley stage 3). The patient was unresponsive to various topical and systemic antibiotics and biological agents, including adalimumab and certolizumab pegol. When the patient was assessed, ixekizumab treatment for his HS was planned. He had progressive oedema in the genital area for two years with difficulty in wearing trousers and having sexual intercourse, and painful urination. CDT was recommended for three days a week concurrently with ixekizumab treatment. The patient and his wife were also educated about self-drainage techniques and skincare maintenance. After six sessions of CDT over 14 days, the patient demonstrated a significant reduction in scrotal measurements. He achieved a better scrotal contour, the degree of the buried penis was decreased, and urination was easier and painless. The findings of this case report showed that CDT was an easily applicable, practical and promising method that offered a rapid treatment response for HS-related genital lymphoedema.

The clinical and demographical characteristics of Turkish pediatric lymphedema patients: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Reducing lymphedema-associated burden and disability in the pediatric setting requires improved awareness and understanding clinical properties of the lymphedema. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with pediatric lymphedema presented to different lymphedema centers in Turkey. METHODS: The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the children including age, gender, presence of genetic syndromes, duration of edema, site and stage of lymphedema and the received therapies were determined. Parental and children education on self-management techniques were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 122 children (female: 66, male: 56) with a mean age of 120.7 ± 71.2 months were included from 7 centers. Of them; 92% had primary, 8% had secondary lymphedema mostly due to infection and trauma. Lymphedema was part of a syndrome in 18% of the children. The most common site of involvement was the lower extremity, followed by upper extremity and genital involvement. Lymphedema was complicated in 17 % of children, mainly with a clinical picture of cellulitis, infection, and pain. The median duration of lymphedema was 41 (5-216) months. Although most of the children had stage 2 lymphedema, only 40% of them received treatment. The most commonly received treatment was compression therapy. No family or child was educated for self- care management before. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, pediatric lymphedema has a comparable gender distribution and usually involves the lower extremities. Although most of the children had advanced disease, more than half of the patients did not receive any treatment indicating the unmet need for management of lymphedema. The education of patients and/or children about self-management methods were lacking. We suggest educational activities for both families of children with lymphedema and health care providers, in order to facilitate early reference to lymphedema units and to receive prompt preventive and therapeutic approaches for this suffering condition.

Clinical awareness and knowledge of breast cancer-related lymphedema among a group of psychiatrists in Turkey - An online survey.

Background: The point-of-view and role of physiatrists are important in the clinical care of breast-cancer-related-lymphedema (BCRL) patients to set up management and rehabilitation strategies. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the awareness and knowledge of BCRL among a group of physiatrists regarding its causes, symptoms, treatment, and management in Turkey. Subjects and Methods: The participants were asked to answer a 10-min web survey, including 19 questions. In addition to their demographical and logistic properties, the questionnaire elicited data on the knowledge, education, and awareness of the physiatrists on the diagnosis and treatment of BCRL. Results: In total, 127 female and 44 male physiatrists completed the survey. Also, 71% of the participants were aged between 31 and 50 years, mostly working in metropoles and tertiary hospitals for more than 5 years. Further, 63.7% of the participants expressed that they had knowledge about BCRL; however, detailed knowledge of lymphedema treatment was low, as 67.9% of the physiatrists reported that they had no comprehensive information about complete-decongestive-therapy. Nearly half of the participants did not believe that once lymphedema has clinically manifested, a patient can eventually be treated for BCRL. Also, 87% of the participants had attended less than two educational events related to BCRL in the past 5 years. In all, 94.7% of the physicians determined a great need for education and awareness of the current literature about BCRL. Conclusion: The awareness and knowledge of lymphedema is moderate but detailed information, knowledge, and education about lymphedema and its treatment are low among a group of physiatrists. With the growing number of breast cancer survivors, physiatrists' awareness and education about BCRL are crucial to improve the quality of care of patients.

Complex decongestive therapy in a patient with poliomyelitis, bilateral lymphoedema and a deep wound: a case study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case report is to describe the results of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) in a patient with poliomyelitis and bilateral lymphoedema, and to emphasise the effect of CDT on wound healing. METHOD: A 48-year-old female patient was given CDT for bilateral grade 3 lymphoedema in the lower extremities and a deep wound on the right foot. She had been diagnosed with poliomyelitis sequela and mobilised with a wheelchair for 26 years. The lymphoedema on both legs and the wound on the right foot sole had been present for five years and eight months, respectively. Detailed wound care had been performed previously upon the green, malodorous infected wound, without healing. The patient received skin care education, manual lymphatic drainage, multilayer bandaging and exercises for 4 weeks in a total of 20 sessions. The improvement was assessed by limb volumes prior to and at the end of the treatments. RESULTS: The right and left lower limb volumes were decreased significantly at the end of treatments (3042cm³ (R) and 3165cm³ (L) before versus 2702cm3 (R) and 2401cm3 (L) afterward). The wound size decreased considerably and the green malodorous flow ceased. The patient continued self-massage and self-bandaging after hospital discharge. The control follow-up, one month later, revealed a completely healed wound with maintained volume. CONCLUSION: In conclusion CDT for a duration of 4 weeks in a female patient with poliomyelitis, bilateral lymphoedema and an infectious hard-to-heal wound, improved both the lymphoedema and wound healing.

The Comparative Frequency of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Determined by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy and Circumferential Measurements.

Objective: The survival of patients with breast cancer has prolonged due to early diagnosis and modern methods of treatment and lymphedema has become the most important morbidity secondary to the treatment of the disease. Early detection and timely intervention have potential to reduce advanced breast cancer-related lymphedema. The aims of this study were to comparatively determine the frequency of subclinical/clinical lymphedema by using prospective monitoring with bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and circumferential measurements in a group of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery. Materials and Methods: Patients having breast cancer surgery were recruited between October 2018 and December 2019. Demographical and surgical properties were recorded. Extremity volumes by circumferential and BIS measurements were performed after surgery (baseline) and monitorizations were carried out at third and sixth months, in order to determine the frequency of subclinical/clinical lymphedema. L-Dex value of >6.5 was recently taken attention as subclinical lymphedema and values >7 were considered as clinical lymphedema. The presence of subclinical and clinic lymphedema was assessed by inter-limb volume difference (>5% and >10 respectively) based on the serial circumferential measurements in both affected and non-affected extremities. The functional status and quality of Life (QoL) were determined by quick-DASH and LYMQOL-Arm questionnaires respectively. The relationship between volume measurements, functional status and QoL scores were determined. Results: Eighty-two female patients with a mean age of 49.6 years were included to the study. 30 (36.5%) and 21 (25.6%) of patients were determined as having subclinical/clinical lymphedema by BIS, while 18 (21.9%) and 19 (23.1%) of patients had subclinical/clinical lymphedema by circumferentialmeasurements at third-and-sixth months respectively. The functional and QoL scores were not correlated with circumferential volume measurements and BIS scores. There was a moderate-high correlation with BIS and circumferential measurements. Conclusion: In conclusion 36.5% and 25.6% of our study group had subclinical and clinical lymphedema by BIS respectively during the 6 months surveillance period. Periodic monitoring of women with BIS allows early detection for lymphedema in more patients than in circumferential volume measurements, which may have implications for timely and necessary management.

The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Patients with Lymphedema.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a challenge to management of lymphedema. The aim of this study was to assess general health conditions and evaluate the problems and concerns of lymphedema patients with regard to access to care and provision of management and control follow-ups during the lockdown period between March and June 2020. Methods: A web-based online survey, which included questions about demographic and clinical properties, compliance with restrictions and self-management, complications, needs, and difficulties in accessing health care, as well as the presence of psychological symptoms, was applied. Results: Two hundred three patients (190 female and 13 male) replied. Majority of them (73.4%) were between 30 and 60 years old and had high school/university education (67%). The duration of lymphedema was more than 3 years and sites were commonly extremities with mild to moderate intensity in 70.5% patients. Majority of them adhered to stay home warnings (88.7%). Weight gain was a common problem and self-care methods were generally skipped (81.8%). Seventeen percent of them had wounds and/or cellulitis. Forty percent of patients needed to apply to health centers to renew the pressure garment, but could not reach it. More than 70% of patients had sleep disorders and anxiety/stress. Majority of patients used television and social media to get information related to COVID-19 and the exposure time was commonly 2 to 6 hours. Conclusions: The COVID-19 lockdown had a great impact on lymphedema patients' health care not only from medical but also from psychosocial aspects. All these implications have to be identified and dealt with properly to avoid concerns and consequences of future pandemic lockdowns. Lymphedema services should be well prepared to be delivered virtually, enable effective care, and share knowledge to meet the needs of patients suffering from lymphedema.

Combined Complete Decongestive Therapy Reduces Volume and Improves Quality of Life and Functional Status in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), in regard to volume reduction, functional status and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Fifty patients with unilateral BCRL were included. The demographic variables focusing on lymphedema were recorded. All patients received combined phase 1 CDT including skin-care, manual lymphatic drainage, multilayer bandaging and supervised exercises, 5 times a week for 3 weeks, as a total of 15 sessions. Patients were assessed by limb volumes and excess volumes according to geometric approximation derived from serial circumference-measurements of the limb, prior and at the end of third week. The functional disability was evaluated by quick disability of arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (Q-DASH). QoL was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its breast-cancer-module (EORTC QLQ-BR23). RESULTS: Fifty females with mean age of 53.22 ± 11.2 years were included. The median duration of lymphedema was 12 months. There were 22 patients in stage1, 26 in stage2 and 2 patients in stage3. The mean baseline limb and excess volumes were significantly decreased at the end of therapies (3262 ± 753 cm³ vs. 2943 ± 646.6 cm³ and 31.36% ± 16.5% vs. 19.12% ± 10.4%, pP= 0.000 respectively). The Q-DASH and EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR23 scores were also decreased significantly (pP< 0.05). The improvements in volumes were related negatively with the duration of lymphedema, and the stage of lymphedema. CONCLUSION: In conclusion phase 1 CDT in a combined manner performed daily for 3 weeks, greatly reduces the volumes as well as improves the disability and QoL, especially when performed earlier.

Upper Extremity Lymphedema Related to Everolimus in a Renal Transplant Recipient: Efficacy of Complete Decongestive Therapy.

We report our experience with a new case of lymphedema of the upper extremity in a renal transplant recipient under treatment with everolimus immunosuppression, and we emphasize the effects of complete decongestive therapy on this chronic condition.

The effect of relaxation exercises on burden, burnout, and anxiety levels in palliative caregivers.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of relaxation exercises on burden, burnout, and anxiety levels in palliative caregivers. DESIGN AND METHODS: The single-group pretest-posttest design was used. The sample of the study consisted of 60 caregivers. Relaxation exercises were administered to caregivers 2 times a week for 4 weeks and 8 times. Burden, burnout, and anxiety levels were evaluated on the preinterventions and postinterventions. FINDINGS: The mean age of the caregivers was 43.82 ± 10.19 years. The majority of the palliative patients were diagnosed with dementia (58.3%), the duration of diagnosis was between 1 and 5 years (70.0%). It was determined that relaxation exercises reduced to caregivers' burden, burnout, and state anxiety levels (p < 0.01). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The study concluded that relaxation exercises had positive effect on caregivers' burden, burnout, anxiety levels.

Stewart-Treves Syndrome: A Rare But Aggressive Complication of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Stewart-Treves syndrome (STS) is an angiosarcoma that usually develop in an extremity with longstanding lymphedema. Most affected patients have a history of breast cancer treated with radical mastectomy. Here, we report a case of STS with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) for a period of seven years. A 56-year-old woman presented with chronic lymphedema of the left arm. Nine years previously she had modified radical mastectomy for grade 2, invasive, ductal breast cancer. Upon physical examination, a tender, purplish lesion on the medial half of the affected arm was observed. The lesion spread rapidly with different-sized, scattered, purple-colored lesions in the affected area. A prompt skin biopsy was reported as STS. An immediate arm amputation was performed. However, a few months later she presented with new lesions on the anterior thorax and subsequent local recurrence around the scar. She received radiation-therapy. However, six months later the angiosarcoma had spread to the pelvic and upper limb area with scattered skin lesions. She had several problems during the chemotherapy and radiation-therapy, although she survived beyond 20 months. In conclusion, STS is a rare but aggressive and important complication of BCRL. Awareness of rapidly progressing skin lesions and detailed investigation, as well as prompt surgery is necessary for patients with BCRL in order to relatively increase the survival time.

The efficacy of different bandaging methods in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: A prospective, randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of 3MTM CobanTM 2 layer system and conventional multi-layer short-stretch bandaging in terms of volume reduction, ultrasonographic measurements, functional status, and quality of life (QoL) in the treatment of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, single-blind, randomized study included a total of 60 BCRL patients (60 females; mean age 54.9±9.6 years; range, 30 to 73 years). The patients were randomly allocated to Group 1 (n=30) and Group 2 (n=30). Both groups received complex decongestive therapy (CDT) including skin care, lymphedema exercises, and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) combined with traditional multi-layer short-stretch bandaging five times per week for three weeks in Group 1 and with 3MTM CobanTM 2 layer system bandaging two times per week for three weeks in Group 2. Differences in volumes, excess volumes, ultrasonographic measurements, QoL, and functional assessment scores were evaluated at baseline, after three weeks of intensive treatment period, and at two months of follow-up. Functional status was evaluated by the Quick Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (Q-DASH), while the QoL was assessed using the Turkish version of Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-Arm (LYMQOL-Arm). The duration and easiness of applying bandages by physiotherapists and comfortableness of bandages according to patients and physiotherapists were also evaluated using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The demographic and clinical properties were similar between the groups. There were significant improvements in the volumes, excess volumes, ultrasonographic measures, functional scores, and QoL scores in both groups at the end of treatment. The improvements were sustained at two months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The 3MTM CobanTM 2 layer bandaging as a part of CDT twice a week for a period of three weeks can significantly reduce the volume and improve the disability and impaired QoL, similar to conventional short-stretch multi-layer bandages. In addition, treatment with this layer system enables a time-efficient, easy, and comfortable application of bandaging with increased mobility of the upper extremity.

Neuropathic component of low back pain in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross sectional study was to evaluate frequency of neuropathic back pain in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and to determine the relation with disease variables and occurrence of neuropathic pain. METHODS: Fifty-eight AS patients who were not having any comorbid disease and/or using drugs that would cause neuropathy, were recruited to the study. Demographic properties and clinical characteristics (functional status and disease activity assessed by BASFI and BASDAI respectively, ESR, CRP) and quality of life determined by AS quality of life-QoL questionnaire, were recorded. The neuropathic property of back pain was assessed by both Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) and Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) scales. RESULTS: 58 AS patients (17 female, 41 male) with a mean age of 45 ± 18 years were included. 33 patients (56.9%) and 31 patients (53.4%) were defined as having neuropathic pain depending on the LANSS (scores > 12) and DN4 (scores > 4) questionnaire scores respectively. The mean score of LANSS scale was correlated with ASQoL, BASFI, BASDAI, and DN4; and the mean score of DN4 scale was correlated with ASQoL, BASFI and LANSS. The mean levels of BASFI and ASQoL scores were significantly higher in patients having neuropathic pain than in patients not having (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Neuropathic pain is common and determined in more than half of the patients with AS and related with functional status and quality of life. Diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain are warranted in order to increase functional ability and quality of life in patients suffering from AS.

The Comparative Efficacy of Conventional Short-Stretch Multilayer Bandages and Velcro Adjustable Compression Wraps in Active Treatment Phase of Patients with Lower Limb Lymphedema.

Background: Compression is the most important component of complete decongestive therapy (CDT), but there is no standard best method for applying compression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of conventional multilayer short-stretch bandaging, and a velcro adjustable compression wrap with regard to volume reduction, ultrasonographic measurements, functional-status, and quality of life (QoL) in the active CDT period of patients with lower limb lymphedema. Methods and Results: The demographic and clinical variables of lower limb lymphedema patients were recorded. All patients received skin care education, manual lymphatic drainage, and supervised lyphedema exercises, and were randomly allocated to Group1 (multilayer short-stretch bandaging-Rosidal-K®) or to Group 2 (adjustable-compression-velcro-wrap-Circaid Reduction-kit®) for a duration of 3 weeks with 15 sessions. Limb volumes were assessed by perometer. Ultrasonographic measurements included subcutaneous soft tissue thickness. The functional disability and QoL were evaluated by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale and LYMQOL-Leg (Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-Leg), respectively, at baseline, after CDT, and at first-month follow-up. Thirty-six patients (10 male and 26 female) with mean age of 51.6 ± 11.7 years were included. Fourteen patients had primary and 22 patients had secondary lymphedema. The median duration of lymphedema was 68 months. Significant improvements in volumes and ultrasonographic measurments were observed in both groups at the end of therapies, and improvements sustained up to a month. Appearance, symptoms, and overall QoL-subscores were improved only in Group 2. Conclusion: In conclusion, adjustable compression velcro-wrap performed as a part of CDT can greatly reduce the volume similiar to conventional multilayer bandages, as well as improve the QoL. It can be a comfortable alternative to the conventional multilayer bandages in the active treatment phase of the CDT.

The Reliability and Validity of Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-Leg in Turkish Patients with Lower Limb Lymphedema.

Background: Accurate information on quality of life (QoL) outcomes among patients with lower limb lymphedema (LLL) is substantially needed to capture lymphedema-specific impairments and make clinical decisions for the management of this suffering condition. No specific instrument for QoL in patients with LLL has been translated to Turkish and validated. This study aims to adapt the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-leg (LYMQOL-Leg) to Turkish and to test its reliability and validity in patients with LLL. Methods and Results: The Turkish-LYMQOL-Leg was obtained using forward-backward translation and administered to 138 patients with LLL, along with Short Form 36 (SF-36), and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), between May 2015 and October 2017. A test-retest interval of 7 days was used to assess the reliability. Descriptive analysis was applied for demographic variables and validation studies were conducted by means of construct validity using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed using Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. All patients with LLL completed the questionnaires. The mean age and lymphedema duration were 52.01 ± 14.73 years and 95.6 ± 108.6 months, respectively. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Turkish-LYMQOL-Leg were good with Cronbach's α (0.85-0.90) and test-retest ICC (0.68-0.85). External construct validity was highly confirmed by expected correlations with comparator scales SF-36 and LEFS (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The Turkish version of the LYMQOL-Leg is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating QoL in patients with LLL that can readily be applied as an outcome measure both in clinical practice and research studies.

LIMPRINT Study: The Turkish Experience.

Background: Lymphedema and chronic edema is a major health care problem in both developed and nondeveloped countries The Lymphoedema Impact and Prevelance - International (LIMPRINT) study is an international health service-based study to determine the prevalence and functional impact in adult populations of member countries of the International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF). Methods and Results: A total of 1051 patients from eight centers in Turkey were recruited using the LIMPRINT study protocol. Data were collected using the core and module tools that assess the demographic and clinical properties as well as disability and quality of life (QoL). Most of the Turkish patients were recruited from specialist lymphedema services and were found to be women, housewives, and having secondary lymphedema because of cancer treatment. The duration of lymphedema was commonly <5 years and most of them had International Society of Lymphology (ISL) grade 2 lymphedema. Cellulitis, infection, and wounds were uncommon. The majority of patients did not get any treatment or advice before. Most of the patients had impaired QoL and decreased functionality, but psychological support was neglected. Although most had social health security access to lymphedema centers, nevertheless access seemed difficult because of distance and cost. Conclusion: The study has shown the current status and characteristics of lymphedema patients, treatment conditions, the unmet need for the diagnosis and treatment, as well as burden of the disease in both patients and families in Turkey. National health policies are needed for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in Turkey that utilize this informative data.

Erratum: The use of diagnostic imaging in low back or leg pain.

[This corrects the article on p. 314 in vol. 63.].

The reliability and validity of Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-Arm in Turkish patients with upper limb lymphedema related with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to adapt Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-Arm (LYMQOL) into Turkish and to test its reliability and validity in Turkish patients with upper limb lymphedema related with breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2015 and November 2015, the Turkish LYMQOL-Arm was obtained using forward-backward translation method and administered to a total of 135 female patients (mean age 51.8±9.8 years; range, 31 to 82 years) with upper limb lymphedema with European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-QoL Breast Cancer-specific version (EORTC QLQ-BR23) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast-4 (FACT-B+4) questionnaires. A test-retest interval of seven-days was used to assess the reliability. The validation studies were carried-out by means of construct-validity using Spearman's rank correlation-coefficient. Internal consistency and test-retest-reliability were assessed using Cronbach's alpha and intra-class correlation-coefficient (ICC), respectively. RESULTS: 135 patients completed the questionnaire with upper limb lymphedema related with breast cancer completed the questionnaires. The mean lymphedema duration was 21.1±28.7 (median: 6) months. Internal consistency and reliability of the Turkish LYMQOL-Arm was good with Cronbach's alpha (0.88-0.90) and test-retest ICC (0.45-0.71). External construct validity was highly confirmed by expected correlations with comparator scales, EORTCQLQ-BR23 and FACT-B+4 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the LYMQOL-Arm is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating QoL in female patients with upper limb lymphedema related with breast cancer.

The Importance of Awareness and Education in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Upper extremity lymphedema occurs in one of five women after breast cancer treatment and causes significant morbidity. Women often report being uninformed regarding awareness of lymphedema and other side effects after the cancer surgery. The aim of the study was to assess the postoperative information and education about lymphedema in patients with lymphedema related to breast cancer surgery in the rehabilitation unit of a tertiary hospital. One hundred eighty patients who had admitted to lymphedema rehabilitation unit between September 2013 and February 2015 were recruited to the study. The demographic properties of women, duration, and grade of lymphedema were recorded. The patients were asked whether they had received any information about awareness of lymphedema or whether they have been educated for reducement of the risk of lymphedema after the breast cancer surgery. One hundred eighty women with a mean age of 52.9 ± 10.7 years (27-53) and with a mean lymphedema duration of 19.8 ± +39.4 months were included. Ninety-eight (54.4 %) patients had grade 1, 80 (44.4 %) patients had grade 2, and 2 (1.11 %) patients had grade 3 lymphedema. Among the participants, only 35 (19.5 %) had reported that they had received information or education about lymphedema. One hundred forty-five patients (80.5 %) were not informed or trained about the development of lymphedema. The degree and duration of lymphedema were lower in patients that had been informed or educated about lymphedema as compared to the patients who had not been informed or educated, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.052). Only a minor group of patients (19 %) had received information and education about lymphedema and there is an unmet need for education or information about lymphedema after breast cancer treatment, especially in developing countries. The nonsignificant correlation between education and the degree and duration of lymphedema was thought to be related with the incongrous numbers of the subgroups. In conclusion with the growing population of breast cancer survivors, patient awareness and education about postoperative lymphedema risk after the cancer surgery is warranted.