Is Lymphatic Drainage Good for Cancer Patients​?

Is lymphatic drainage good for cancer patients?​ Finding research highlighting the benefits of lymphatic drainage for breast cancer is easy. Discovering research solely focusing on any other type of cancer is difficult. The reason isn’t necessarily because of any kind of bias, rather it is due to the high incidence of lymphedema and axillary web syndrome (AWS) in patients who received a mastectomy with nodular involvement.

Is Lymphatic Drainage Good for Cancer Patients​?

Since we are on the topic of breast cancer and AWS, here is some research-based evidence that suggests lymphatic drainage may be good for breast cancer patients.

  • Physical therapy when combined with lymphatic drainage massage has been shown to decrease arm lymphedema in breast cancer patients with axillary web syndrome (AWS). [1]
  • When lymphatic drainage massage is used in conjunction with specialized arm exercises has been shown to result in reduced pain and improved motion. [2]
  • Lymphatic drainage is as safe and effective as active exercises in the rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery. [3]
  • Early intervention with lymphatic drainage and the rehabilitation program were effective in improving ROM of the neck and controlling lymphedema in acute-phase rehabilitation. [4]
  • When lymphatic drainage was performed twice a day, five days a week for three weeks, lymphatic drainage massage showed a strong effect of volume reduction for breast cancer-related lymphedema. [5]
  • Reduction of upper limb volume appears to be most effective when the number of treatment sessions or 20 or more over a two week period in the treatment of breast cancer-related postmastectomy lymphedema (BCRL). [6]
  • Lymphatic drainage has been shown to reduce pain, swelling and heaviness in breast cancer patients with lymphedema. The authors of the research trial suggest the use of lymphatic drainage during the maintenance phase. [7]
  • Lymphatic drainage is effective in reducing lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. [8]

So, in general, is lymphatic drainage good for cancer patients?

Lymphatic drainage offers an array of benefits. As a cancer survivor, I can attest to the benefits of a slow, relaxing and calming massage during treatment. Additionally, receiving a massage from someone who has been trained in oncology massage who exhibits compassion, professionalism, and is dedicated to providing the utmost care, can transform a rough day into a delightful one.

People with cancer often schedule a lymphatic drainage session to reduce edema, improve circulation, reduce pain, have an escape, and remind them how bright and delightful life can be.

Citations

[1] Cho, Y., Do, J., Jung, S., Kwon, O., & Jeon, J. Y. (2016). Effects of a physical therapy program combined with manual lymphatic drainage on shoulder function, quality of life, lymphedema incidence, and pain in breast cancer patients with axillary web syndrome following axillary dissection. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24(5), 2047–2057. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-3005-1

[2] Torres-Lacomba, M., Prieto-Gómez, V., Arranz-Martín, B., Ferrandez, J. C., Yuste-Sánchez, M. J., Navarro-Brazález, B., & Romay-Barrero, H. (2022). Manual lymph drainage with progressive arm exercises for axillary web syndrome after breast cancer surgery: A randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy, 102(3), Article pzab314. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab314

[3] Oliveira, M. M. F. de, Gurgel, M. S. C., Amorim, B. J., Ramos, C. D., Derchain, S., Furlan-Santos, N., Santos, C. C. D., & Sarian, L. O. (2018). Long term effects of manual lymphatic drainage and active exercises on physical morbidities, lymphoscintigraphy parameters and lymphedema formation in patients operated due to breast cancer: A clinical trial. PLoS ONE, 13(1), Article e0189176. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189176

[4] Tsai, K.-Y., Liao, S.-F., Chen, K.-L., Tang, H.-W., & Huang, H.-Y. (2022). Effect of early interventions with manual lymphatic drainage and rehabilitation exercise on morbidity and lymphedema in patients with oral cavity cancer. Medicine, 101(42), Article e30910. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000030910

[5] Kasseroller, R. G., & Brenner, E. (2023). Effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage in intensive phase I therapy of breast cancer-related lymphedema—A retrospective analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 32(1), Article 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08210-7

[6] Qiao, J., Yang, L.-N., Kong, Y.-H., Huang, X., Li, Y., & Bai, D.-Q. (2023). Effect of manual lymphatic drainage on breast cancer-related postmastectomy lymphedema: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Cancer Nursing, 46(2), 159–166. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0000000000001061

[7] Da Cuña-Carrera, I., Soto-González, M., Abalo-Núñez, R., & Lantarón-Caeiro, E. M. (2024). Is the absence of manual lymphatic drainage-based treatment in lymphedema after breast cancer harmful? A randomized crossover study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(2), Article 402. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13020402

[8] Pereira de Godoy, J. M., Pereira de Godoy, L. M., Pereira de Godoy, H. J., & Guerreiro Godoy, M. de F. (2022). Reduction of arm lymphedema using manual lymphatic therapy (Godoy Method). Cureus, 14(8), Article e28374. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28374