Diagnosis of an early (latent) stage of secondary arm lymphedema - A necessary condition for its successful treatment

Abstract

An increasing number of solid tumors requires also more and more surgical lymphadenectomies and radiotherapy of appropriate lymphatic nodes. Therefore, an increased number of secondary lymphedemas is obviously to be expected.

The authors emphasize a diagnostics of early (latent) forms of secondary lymphedemas. To objectively evaluate a clinically latent lymph congestion in the interstitium, a noninvasive examination method - lymphoscintigraphy (radionuclid lymphography) - is used.

Based on the authors' experience, a mixture of systemically acting proteinases (Wobenzym tbl.) is absolutely the best drug in the treatment of latent forms of secondary lymphedema.

Keywords

• lymphedema
• successful treatment