Hadamitzky Catarina, Pabst Reinhard
Department of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Cancer Res. 2008 Jan 15;68(2):343-5. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-2454.
In cancer patients, the removal of tumor-draining lymph nodes during tumor resection can lead to acquired lymphedema. This disease, which is characterized by tissue swelling and increased risk of infection due to restricted lymph flow, lacks an effective treatment. Limitations to the design and conduct of randomized trials to date have limited the evaluation of proposed surgical techniques. As a result, animal models have provided an important research base. This review summarizes work in canine, rabbit, and rodent models of acquired lymphedema, focusing on arising limitations and potential applications.
