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CRS is here to help patients learn wht they need to know:
CRS' Certified Lymphatic Therapists and the support staff is dedicated
to CRS' mission of helping patients physicians and families understand
the importance of physical therapy in the recovery process, and
its role in minimizing the risk of developing lymphedema and infection.
Our goal is to provide the best possible care and to assist with
the education process regarding lymphedema so that it may be effectively
managed and the patient's quality of life be greatly improved.
Risk
Factors for Lymphedema
* Extent of Lymph node surgery
* Axillary (under arm) radiation therapy
* Obesity
* Drain/Wound complications
* Diagonal incisions (breast cancer)
* Air travel without compression garment
* Infection of the limb or at risk quadrant
* Prostate cancer treated by whole-pelvic radiation or surgery
* Gynecological cancer when disease is advanced or when radical
surgery with node dissection or radiation therapy
has been used.
* Advanced neoplistice disease with spread to the lower quarter
of the body as in ovarian, testicular, colorectal,
pancreatic or
liver cancers.
* Once establised, the duration of lymphedema represents an
additional factor that will contribute to the
tendency for
lymphedema to progress.
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