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Semin Plast Surg 2018; 32(01): 048-052
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632403
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

New and Emerging Treatments for Lymphedema

Mark V. Schaverien
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
,
Melissa B. Aldrich
2   Center for Molecular Imaging, Brown Institute for Molecular Medicine, UT Health, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
09 April 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Although nonoperative and operative treatments for lymphedema (LE) are well established, these procedures typically provide only partial relief from limb swelling, functional impairment, and the risk of cellulitis. The lack of a cure for LE, however, is due to an incomplete understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, and current research efforts are focusing on elucidating these processes to provide new, targeted therapies for this prevalent disease for which there is no cure. This article reviews the current literature regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie LE, as well as new and emerging therapies for the condition.

Keywords

lymphedema - treatment - therapies - inflammation
 

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