LYMPHA (Lymphovenous Bypass) Procedure With Mastectomy/Lumpectomy?
My surgeon told me that for her institution, after axillary dissection, the bypass is only done on for the arm, and not breast.
If you have experience with bypass, what is done for both arm and breast?
Also, there is comment that the bypass might be destroyed by radiation. Have you heard about this?
Thank you.
Comments
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I have heard of lymphovenous bypass being done only for arms and legs. I have breast LE from radiation and while it is uncomfortable it is less impactful than severe arm LE.
The advantage of having LVB at the same time as breast surgery is that LE may be prevented. When surgery is done after LE occurs it is more likely to reduce the swelling but not eliminate it.
Radiation can lead to LE by causing fibrosis in lymph nodes and surrounding tissue. This can also happen to the lymph nodes grafted during LVB. You would have to ask the surgeon if a second LVB could be done if this happens.
While LVB reduces the chance of lymphedema after axillary dissection from 42% to 7% there is no way of knowing whether you will be one of the unlucky ones. It’s also hard to predict how radiation will affect things since the rads plan is not developed until after the post surgical pathology report is released.
Good luck with your treatment.
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