Factors Associated with Reported Infection and Lymphedema Symptoms among Individuals with Extremity Lymphedema

Evaluation of modulation of immunity by lymph node transfer: A preliminary histological evidence in lymphedema patients

BACKGROUND

The exact knowledge of the local biological and immunological effects of vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) continues to be an emerging science but a positive control positive control over infectious and immune-mediated processes is often advocated. Knowing the characterization of the inflammatory infiltrate associated with lymphedema, the aim of this paper is to verify the hypothesis that VLNT is able to modulate the inflammatory and immune microenvironment of lymphedematous tissue by evaluating any modification of the local inflammatory cell infiltrate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospectively database of patients who received VLN transfer for lower extremity lymphedema between January 2018 and December 2020 was reviewed. Nine patients diagnosed with extremities' stage II secondary lymphedema were included, with a mean age of 55.3 (range 39-66 years) years. Gastroepiploic lymph node transfer was performed in all patients and transferred heterotopically. Full thickness 6-mm skin punch biopsies were obtained from all voluntary lymph node transfer patients at identical sites of the lymphedematous limb during the surgical procedure of VLNT (T0) and 1 year later (T1). Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against the following markers: anti-CD3; anti-CD4; anti-CD8; anti-CD68. Data at T0 were compared to those at T1.

RESULTS

Post-operative course was uneventful in all cases experiencing a significant reduction (almost a third) in terms of cellulitis episodes: The median duration of follow-up for patients was 28.3 months (range 12-40). The analysis of the density of the inflammatory cells as a whole revealed a significant reduction at T1 compared to T0. Specifically, CD3 expression levels turned from 16.36 ± 3.421 (cells/mm2 ) pre-operatively to 7.6 ± 1.511 (cells/mm2 ) post-operatively (p < .0001). CD4+ cells turned from 7.270 ± 3.421 (cells/mm2 ) at T0 to 4.815 ± 1.511 cells/mm2 at T1 (p = .0173). CD8 expression values decreased from 4.360 ± 3.421 (cells/mm2 ) to 2.753 ± 1.451 (cell/mm2 ) at T1 (p = .0003). Monocyte/macrophage marker CD68 varied from 8.208 ± 2.314 (cells/mm2 ) at T0 to 7.600 ± 1876 (cells/mm2 ) at T1 (p = .0003).

CONCLUSION

VLNT decreases skin and subcutaneous tissues' infiltration of inflammatory cells, providing one explanation for the positive control of lymph node transfer procedure over infectious and immune-mediated processes.

Evaluating the cost of managing patients with cellulitis in Wales, UK: A 20-year population-scale study

This study aimed to estimate costs associated with managing patients with cellulitis from the UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. The analysis was undertaken through the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank, which brings together population-scale, individual-level anonymised linked data from a wide range of sources, including 80% of primary care general practices within Wales (population coverage ~3.2 million). The data covered a 20-year period from 1999 to 2019. All patients linked to the relevant codes were tracked through primary care settings, recording the number of general practice visits (number of days with an event recorded) and number of in-patient stays. Resources were valued in monetary terms (£ sterling), with costs determined from national published sources of unit costs. These resources were then extrapolated out to reflect UK NHS costs. This is the first attempt to estimate the financial burden of cellulitis using routine data sources on a national scale. The estimated direct annual costs to the Welsh NHS (£28 554 338) are considerable. In-Patient events and length of stay costs are the main cost drivers, with annual Welsh NHS estimates of £19 664 126 with primary care events costing £8 890 212. Initiatives to support patients and healthcare professionals in identifying early signs/risks of cellulitis, improve the accuracy of initial diagnosis, prevent cellulitis recurrence, and improve evidence-based treatment pathways would result in major financial savings, to both the Welsh and UK NHS. In light of these findings, Wales has developed the innovative National Lymphoedema cellulitis Improvement Programme to address these burdens; providing a proactive model of cellulitis care.

Current Mechanistic Understandings of Lymphedema and Lipedema: Tales of Fluid, Fat, and Fibrosis

Lymphedema and lipedema are complex diseases. While the external presentation of swollen legs in lower-extremity lymphedema and lipedema appear similar, current mechanistic understandings of these diseases indicate unique aspects of their underlying pathophysiology. They share certain clinical features, such as fluid (edema), fat (adipose expansion), and fibrosis (extracellular matrix remodeling). Yet, these diverge on their time course and known molecular regulators of pathophysiology and genetics. This divergence likely indicates a unique route leading to interstitial fluid accumulation and subsequent inflammation in lymphedema versus lipedema. Identifying disease mechanisms that are causal and which are merely indicative of the condition is far more explored in lymphedema than in lipedema. In primary lymphedema, discoveries of genetic mutations link molecular markers to mechanisms of lymphatic disease. Much work remains in this area towards better risk assessment of secondary lymphedema and the hopeful discovery of validated genetic diagnostics for lipedema. The purpose of this review is to expose the distinct and shared (i) clinical criteria and symptomatology, (ii) molecular regulators and pathophysiology, and (iii) genetic markers of lymphedema and lipedema to help inform future research in this field.

Liposuction and Controlled Compression Therapy Reduce the Erysipelas Incidence in Primary and Secondary Lymphedema

BACKGROUND

Skin infections are a recurring problem for people with lymphedema, and lymphedema has been proven to be the single most important risk factor for developing erysipelas in the leg. This study aimed to determine whether liposuction for late-stage lymphedema reduces the rate of erysipelas in lower extremity lymphedema.

METHODS

One-hundred twenty-four patients with a median age of 49 years who had liposuction and controlled compression therapy for lower extremity lymphedema were included. Excess volumes were calculated before and after surgery. Median preoperative and postoperative patient years at risk were 11 and 5 years, respectively.

RESULTS

With a total of 1680 preoperative person years at risk and 335 bouts of erysipelas experienced in 64 patients, the preoperative incidence rate was 0.20 bouts per person per year, and the period prevalence was 52%. Postoperatively, the patients were followed over a total of 763 person years at risk, and 28 patients experienced a total of 53 bouts of erysipelas, resulting in a postoperative incidence rate of 0.07 bouts per person per year, and a period prevalence of 23%. This represents a 65% decrease in the erysipelas incidence rate (P < 0.001). The preoperative median excess volume of 3158 ml was reduced with a median of 100% (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Liposuction and controlled compression therapy significantly reduce the risk for erysipelas in lower extremity lymphedema and completely reduces the excess volume. This finding is similar to our previous research including patients with upper extremity lymphedema.

Model-Based Patterns of Lymphedema Symptomatology: Phenotypic and Biomarker Characterization

Purpose of the Study

More than 50% of breast cancer survivors without a diagnosis of lymphedema suffer daily from numerous and co-occurring lymphedema symptoms. This study aimed to identify lymphedema symptom patterns and the association of such patterns with phenotypic characteristics and biomarkers using latent class analysis (LCA). A prospective, descriptive, and repeated-measure design was used to enroll 140 women and collect data.

Recent Findings

LCA identified three distinct lymphedema symptom classes at 8 weeks and 12 months post-surgery: low, moderate, and severe symptom classes and associated phenotypic characteristics. Participants were more likely to be in the severe symptom classes at 12 months post-surgery if they had lower education level, cording, an axillary syndrome at 8 weeks post-surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and radiation.

Summary

Pre-surgery level of IL1-a, IL-6, IL-8, and VEGF was associated with the severe symptom class at 8 weeks post-surgery, suggesting that such biomarkers may be used to predict risk for lymphedema symptoms.

Lymphatic Reconstitution and Regeneration After Face Transplantation

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether lymphatic reconstitution and regeneration occurs after clinical facial transplantation using indocyanine green lymphography and immunohistochemical markers.

METHODS

Allograft skin biopsies at multiple posttransplant time points were stained with Lyve1 lymphatic antibody and other endothelial antibodies. Staining intensity was interpreted on a scale of none, mild, moderate, and strong by 2 investigators and consolidated by a third party for final interpretation. Standardized real-time lymphography was performed at various posttransplant time points to evaluate lymphatic reconstitution and regeneration.

RESULTS

Forty-two biopsies were evaluated at 15 different time points from posttransplant days 7 to 420. Strong Lyve1 staining was observed in 52.4%, moderate staining in 14.3%, and weak staining in 33.3% of biopsies. Strong staining was present on days 7, 10, 44, 79, 269, 402, and 420. Three lymphographic studies were conducted at 8.5, 30, and 35 months posttransplant. Initial drainage via distinct lymphatic channels with abrupt dermal splash and lymphostasis was observed at 8.5-month posttransplant. At 30- and 35-month posttransplant, communication of multiple lymphatic channels between donor tissue and recipient tissue was evident with distinct drainage into native recipient cervical lymph nodes. This correlated with ongoing clinical resolution of facial edema and was unaffected by 3 episodes of acute rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support ongoing lymphatic reconstitution between the donor facial allograft and recipient native tissue. Donor lymphatic regeneration begins after facial transplantation and continues long term. This mechanism may be responsible for the temporal and spatial process of lymphatic reconstitution with recipient lymphatic channels.

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.

Efficacy and safety of Wuling San for treatment of breast-cancer-related upper extremity lymphoedema: study protocol for a pilot trial

INTRODUCTION

Breast-cancer-related upper extremity lymphoedema (BCUL), a common complication of mastectomy, can cause physical discomfort, psychological distress, cosmetic defects, functional disability and chronic recurrent erysipelas in the affected arm(s). It is a challenge to physicians involved in the management of these patients. Wuling San, a classic prescription in Traditional Chinese Medicine used in treating oedema for thousands of years, is reported by many Chinese journals to perform well in BCUL. Therefore, the aim of this study is to verify its efficacy and evaluate its safety using rigorous methodological designs in patients with BCUL.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

To verify the efficacy and assess the safety of Wuling San over a placebo, this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial will be carried out in three hospitals. A total of 200 eligible patients with BCUL will be randomly allocated, in a ratio of 1:1, to either the experimental medicine group or the placebo group. The primary outcome measure will be the proportion of absolute reduced limb volume, as measured by perometry. The second outcome measure will be the number of participants with adverse events. The assessment will be carried out at the following time points: before enrolment (baseline) and 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after treatment.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and supervised by the institutional review board of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (approval number PJK2016088). All patients will receive information about the trial in verbal and written forms and will give informed consent before enrolment. This trial will help to demonstrate whether Wuling San is effective in the treatment of patients with BCUL. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals or disseminated through conference presentations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02726477; Pre-results.