What should I do if lower limb lymphedema occurs in gynecologic tumor patients?

  Patients with gynecological malignancies such as cervical cancer and endometrial cancer undergo pelvic surgery, mainly pelvic lymph node resection, which will affect the lymphatic reflux of patients’ lower limbs. If patients supplement pelvic radiotherapy after surgery, it will cause fibrosis and scarring of pelvic tissues, especially lymphatic vessels, blockage of lymphatic vessels, and in heavy cases, it will engine severe lymphedema of lower limbs, which affects patients’ physical and mental health. The following three pictures are used to introduce the prevention and treatment of the disease.  Prevention of lower extremity lymphedema: For patients after radical breast cancer surgery and those who have already developed lymphedema: 1. Do not ignore even slight swelling of the fingers, back of the hand and chest wall. Seek medical attention as soon as you notice it.  2. Do not give injections, draw blood or measure blood pressure on one side of the patient’s arm. If necessary, mark the arm to alert the person concerned.  3.Keep the skin of the arm clean, do not use violence when washing, dry the skin after washing and use skin cream to prevent drying.  4.Avoid using the affected arm to repeatedly do pushing, lifting, grasping and other actions.  5.Avoid using the affected arm to lift heavy objects, and also avoid carrying heavy objects on the affected side of the shoulder.  6.Avoid wearing tight jewelry on the affected fingers and arm.  7.Avoid large changes in temperature, do not take saunas and prevent sun exposure.  8.Avoid any kind of skin injury, once the injury occurs, attention should be paid to prevent infection.  9.When doing household work should wear gloves to avoid minor injuries.  10.When cutting nails, do not damage the nail bed.  11.Do exercise under the guidance of a doctor, avoid overworking the affected limb, and once pain occurs, lie down immediately and raise the arm up. Recommended concentrated exercise program: walking, swimming, cycling.  12.When traveling long distance, you should wear elastic gloves or even elastic bandages.  13.Wear a light and suitable bra to prevent the lymphatic fluid return from being too tight.  14.Patients who have developed lymphedema should use elastic gloves for at least 6 months. And pay attention to timely replacement of gloves with insufficient elasticity for a long time.  15.If you find red, itchy, painful, hot and feverish skin on your arm, you should go to the hospital immediately. Infection of the skin can induce or aggravate edema.  16.Maintain proper weight and eat a diet low in sodium and high in fiber. Abstain from smoking and alcohol.