Overview
Project status: In progress
Characterised by excess protein and oedema in the tissues, lymphoedema can be the result of radiation therapy or surgery following the treatment for breast and other cancers and usually occurs in the limb. "Studies show from 20% & to 45% of patients who are at risk of lymphoedema will eventually develop it."
- Research team
- QUT
- Organisational unit
- Lead unit Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Physics
Associate Professor Bruce Cornish
Adjunct Associate Professor Brian ThomasDetails
Recognising lymphoedema early and treating it promptly is the best way to manage the condition.
Lymphoedema may be extremely debilitating and although it cannot be cured, its progress may be arrested with treatments involving exercise, compression bandaging and massage. Without appropriate and timely treatment, lymphoedema can lead to pain, recurrent infection, reduced mobility and impaired function.
Recognising lymphoedema early and treating it promptly is the best way to manage the condition.
Bioimpedance spectroscopy enables the measurement of subclinical changes in extracellular fluid (ECF), and can detect lymphoedema up to 10 months earlier than other current methods. Both devices provide quick, easy, and relevant measurements of lymphoedema, ultimately providing a better quality of life.
Publications and output
- Hayes, Sandra C. and Cornish, Bruce H. and Newman, Beth M. (2005) Comparison of Methods to Diagnose Lymphoedema Among Breast Cancer Survivors: 6-Month follow-up. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 89(3):pp. 221-226.
- Hayes, Sandra C. and Janda, Monika and Cornish, Bruce H. and Battistutta, Diana and Newman, Beth M. (2008) Lymphoedema after breast cancer: incidence, risk factors, and effect on upper body function. Journal of Clinical Oncology 26(21):pp. 3536-3542.
