The Effect of Complex decongestıve Therapy on oxıdatıve Stress and antıoxıdants ın patıents wıth Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Treatment

Lymphedema, which is the most common late complication of patients receiving cancer treatment, affects the physical, social and psychological experiences of the individual and decreases the quality of life because it causes motor dysfunctions, cosmetic deformations and psychological disorders. The addition of radiotherapy to surgical intervention increases the risk of lymphedema by 36%.

When free radicals increase in intensity, they cause structural disorders in lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, and as a result, they are seen as a cause and risk factor for chronic diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

Due to their rapid metabolism and impaired cellular signaling mechanism, cancer cells have a high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). High levels of ROS are generally harmful to cells and the redox state of cancer cells is different from that of normal cells. Cancer cells therefore maintain ROS levels at a moderately high tumorigenic level, above a low cytostatic level, but below levels that would be cytotoxic. The oxidative stress state in a cancerous cell is different from the oxidative stress state in a normal cell. It is also well known that increased oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with cancer risk. The number of studies investigating the effect of complex decongestive therapy, which is stated to be the most effective treatment method in the treatment of lymphedema, the most common complication after breast cancer treatment, on oxidative stress and antioxidant levels is quite limited.

In our study, we aimed to reveal the changes of complex decongestive therapy applications on oxidative stress parameters and antioxidants in patients with lymphedema after breast cancer treatment.