Supplementation with Robuvit® in post-mastectomy post-radiation arm lymphedema

BACKGROUND: Post-mastectomy lymphedema is one of the most significant, non-life-threatening complications following breast cancer surgery and radiotherapy. Post-mastectomy post-radiotherapy (PMPR) lymphedema is related to damages to lymphatics and/or veins during/after axillary surgery and radiotherapy. The management of this condition is very challenging; the comprehensive decongestive therapy (CTD), which combines physiotherapy. self-management, and hygiene, and is currently considered the standard management (SM). The aim of this registry' study was to evaluate whether the supplementation with Robuvit (R) as a lymphedema controlling agent added to CTD over a 2-month period could be more effective than CTD alone. METIIODS: A group of 65 patients with PMPR lymphedema was included in this registry study and followed up for 2 months; 33 were treated with current SM only (control group), and 32 were also supplemented with 600 mg/day of Robuvit (R) (active treatment group). RESULTS: At 1- and 2-month follow-up, the decrease in volume was significantly greater in the supplement group (P<0.05), with a final reduction in volume after two months of 654 +/- 21 mL (-19.82%) versus 433 +/- 23 mL (-12.81%) in the control group. A more significant decrease in skin thickness and symptoms was also observed in the Robuvit (R) group. No side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: CTD, combined with self-management, can effectively control the excess of limb volume in post-mastectomy lymphedema. Supplementation with Robuvit (R) is useful to further reduce limb volume. Later stages of lymphedema seem to be more difficult to manage and may require surgery or more invasive treatments.