Prophylactic complex physiotherapy in gynecologic cancer survivors: patient-reported outcomes based on a lymphedema questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE

Lower extremity lymphedema secondary to cancer treatment impacts quality of life for gynecological cancer survivors. Complex decongestive physiotherapy is applied when lymphedema is diagnosed, but prophylactic physiotherapy is not yet a standard of care. The aim of this study is to evaluate prophylactic complex physiotherapy in patients with gynecological cancer and its effects on patient-reported symptoms based on the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire.

METHODS

The data of patients diagnosed with gynecological cancers who underwent lymphadenectomy from July 2021 to June 2022 was evaluated. All patients were referred to the physiotherapy unit before adjuvant treatment. Patients who accepted prophylactic physiotherapy were informed and massage and exercise training were implemented, whereas patients who declined were solely informed. Bilateral lower extremity circumferences were measured at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months at the levels of 10 cm, 30 cm, and 50 cm above the heels. A translated form of the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire was administered to all patients at the last visit.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients were included in the study. Patients were diagnosed with endometrial (50%), ovarian (32%), cervical (16%), and vulvar (2%) cancer. Overall, 70% underwent systematic pelvic±para-aortic lymphadenectomy whereas sentinel lymph node mapping was performed in 30%. Lymphedema was seen in 5% (n=3) of the prophylactic physiotherapy positive group and in 60% (n=24) of the physiotherapy negative group. The median score was 3 (range 1-5) in the physiotherapy positive group and 16 (range 9-20) in the physiotherapy negative group. In patients diagnosed with lymphedema in the physiotherapy negative group, systematic lymphadenectomy was performed in 91.7% (n=22) and a higher number of lymph nodes was extracted (median 45.5; p=0.002).

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic complex physiotherapy is associated with lower rates of lymphedema and better patient-reported symptom scores according to the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire.