Free Access to a Review Article on the Development & Treatment of Lymphatic Dysfunction in Cancer Patients

Check out this Open Access review article on the development and treatment of lymphatic dysfunction in cancer patients. We describe how cancer metastasis, lymph node dissection, and radiation therapy alter lymphatic function, as visualized by near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging. We show that lymphatic dysfunction occurs with cancer progression and is an early, sub-clinical indicator of cancer-acquired lymphedema. We also show that early treatment of lymphedema can restore lymphatic function in breast cancer and head and neck cancer patients and survivors. The paper provides insight into the critical role of the lymphatics and the immune system in the development of cancer related lymphedema.

• The Development and Treatment of Lymphatic Dysfunction in Cancer Patients and Survivors