Cambois, UK ( prsafe ) August 13, 2012 - A new study conducted by Dr. S. Mark Taylor and Dr. Maria Brake of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is offering new hope for those suffering from lymphedema. Published in the Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the study documents the use of liposuction to treat lymphedema in cancer patients.

Individuals who have received treatment for neck and head cancer often suffer from a build-up of fluid in surrounding tissue. Fluids typically begin to collect under the chin and spread to collateral locations. The area begins to swell, interferes in the body's normal functions and patients become disfigured.

Using local anesthesia, Taylor and Brake used liposuction to treat the condition successfully in 10 patients. The process involves a small incision made in the neck, followed by the application of liposuction to remove fluid and fat in the area. All of the subjects responded to treatment and showed marked results. No complications were observed in any of the patients and none experienced a recurrence of the condition.

The new treatment accomplishes much more than a cosmetic solution. Accumulated fluids can be recirculated into the bloodstream and other tissues, placing patients at high risk of infection. Approximately 140 million people are affected by some form of lymphedema worldwide. The condition can appear as a side effect of cancer treatments and compromised physical systems. Left untreated, lymphedema provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that further damages the lymphatic system.

Those suffering from lymphedema are at risk for a variety of infections, inflammation of connective tissues and blood clots. Ten percent of those who have lymphedema for 10 or more years often develop a rare form of cancer known as lymphangiosarcoma.

Lymphedema treatments typically consisted of compression bandages and pump therapy to address swelling. Massage and physical therapy were often prescribed to encourage circulation of fluids. The procedures weren't always effective, patients experienced varying degrees of success and the condition often returned.

The usage of liposuction by Taylor and Brake provides lymphedema sufferers with a new tool to fight a dangerous and disfiguring condition. LymphedemaTreatment.co.uk is a newly launched website that provides lymphedema information and a treatment guide for those suffering from the debilitating affliction. The site provides patients and families with a wealth of information and resources on new developments to help them make informed decisions about their best treatment options.

For more information, visit the website at http://www.lymphedematreatment.co.uk.

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