Lymphedema in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Metastasis to distant organs is the most important factor related to cancer survival. Tumor cells spread via blood and lymphatic vessels, systems responsible for transporting fluid and cells. Besides its structural role in cancer metastasis, the lymphatic system displays a critical functional interaction with developing tumors. In clinical settings, full evaluation of the lymphatic system involvement is crucial for treatment and prognosis in cancer patients. Comprehension of physiological and pathological processes involving the lymphatic system is a continuously growing field of basic and clinical research due to recent advances in molecular Lymphology. However, the most interesting biological aspects of lymphatic metastasis of cancer are beyond our objective in this chapter. Here we will focus on the consequences of cancer spread and therapeutic approaches and their impact on the lymphatic system. The knowledge of basic function, structure and distribution of the lymphatic system is essential to diagnosis and treatment in Oncology. In this chapter we will highlight relevant aspects of lymphatic anatomy as well as current topics in conservative and surgical treatment of lymphedema. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.