New Help for Lymphedema

By Marga Massey, MD, CLT, FaCs

“After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, many patients simply can not hear the full story,” says Marga F. Massey, MD, CLT, FACS and a pioneer in the field of Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer for the treatment of lymphedema. “I often see patients who were never informed about the risk of lymphedema after cancer surgery or who were too overwhelmed by their diagnosis to absorb the information."

Dr. Massey (who prefers “Dr. Marga”) is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who cares for patients in Charleston and three other locations. She is using her home-base cities to promote lymphedema awareness to patients and physicians alike. “As cancer care providers, we focus on survival. We sometimes forget about what cancer treatment leaves behind. We need to be proactive about education and risk reduction before patients present with “heaviness”, swelling, pain or infection.

“March 6 was National Lymphedema Awareness Day. That gives us a one-day platform to spread lymphedema awareness; but our efforts must continue every day.”

Lymphedema is a condition where fluid collects in arms, legs or other areas, resulting in pain, decreased mobility, recurrent infection and permanent disability.

“More than 25 percent of breast cancer patients develop lymphedema after having lymph nodes removed from under the arm. It approaches 50 percent if patients require additional radiation therapy,” explains Dr. Marga. “Manual Lymphatic Drainage, or massage, used with compression bandages is the common treatment for this disorder. If that fails, patients may benefit from more aggressive treatment that may involve surgery. It is important to find board certified surgeons who are also certified in lymphedema therapy.”

Dr. Marga founded the National Institute of Lymphology- a group of healthcare providers dedicated to defining evidence-based best practices of lymphedema care in the U.S. She is one of a handful of surgeons in the world trained to offer Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer surgery. It involves transferring healthy lymph nodes from various parts of the body to the site affected by lymphedema. The surgery can cure or dramatically minimize the effects of lymphedema.

She is hosting a national series of lectures to promote lymphedema awareness to patients and medical professionals. More than 50 people attended the first one at Charleston Place in January. “We started the series here as Roper Hospital was the first American hospital to host Dr. Corinne Becker, the French pioneer of Vascularized Lymph Node Transfers, in 2009. Dr. Becker’s visit helped establish Roper Hospital as a national leader in lymphedema care.”

Dr. Marga wants patients who are at risk of developing lymphedema to know how to protect themselves.

“Ask your doctor if your procedure will involve lymph node removal and whether you will require radiation. Request a referral to a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) for proactive education before surgery. Follow up with the therapist routinely during and after your cancer care. Look for the position papers on lymphedema screening, risk reduction, travel and excercise.” Dr. Marga says “many medical professionals are unfamiliar with recent advances in lymphedema care” so she encourages patients to speak up and be advocates for themselves. “We now have interventions that change lives."

For more, go to http://nilymph.com/proactive.

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