Thank You!
Your contribution to DISSECT has been recorded. Every response helps map surgical training disparities across the globe.
Based on your responses, you highlighted that lymphoedema is often recognised late, and that measurement and staging vary so much between services that cases are hard to compare. You also noted that access to trained lymphoedema therapists and to compression garments is uneven, and that few services have a defined pathway for surveillance after cancer treatment. These insights will feed directly into the WG1 review of disparities in diagnosis and management.
No agreed surveillance pathway
Few services have a defined surveillance pathway after cancer treatment, so many cases are detected only once symptoms are established.
“Participants indicated that management of cancer versus non-cancer related lymphoedema was similar, but that pathways to care were more straight-forward for those receiving cancer care, leading to earlier diagnosis.”
Improving care for cancer-related and other forms of lymphoedema in low- and middle-income countries: a qualitative studyUnequal access to specialist therapy
Access to trained lymphoedema therapists and to compression garments varies widely, and is often limited by cost to the patient.
“Key facilitators to optimizing lymphoedema care in LMIC included: 1) joining forces to overcome lymphoedema-related stigma; 2) building workforce capabilities; and 3) partnering with patients and families to support self-management.”
Improving care for cancer-related and other forms of lymphoedema in low- and middle-income countries: a qualitative studyStart with awareness
Raising awareness among communities and health professionals is the agreed first step to earlier diagnosis — lymphoedema is still too often mistaken for oedema, venous insufficiency or heart disease.
Torgbenu et al., BMC Health Serv Res 2022Teach the patient to manage it
Partnering with patients and families for self-management, with clear communication and management adapted to the resources actually available, is one of the three core facilitators.
Torgbenu et al., BMC Health Serv Res 2022Treat by stage, not by scanner
Complex decongestive therapy and good skin care are the agreed core of care, with management decided by lymphoedema stage. Imaging-based diagnosis was judged neither available nor affordable in most settings.
Practice points for lymphoedema care in LMIC, BMC Health Serv Res 2023Reach the groups most at risk
Younger, non-White women, rural residents and those with low income or education are at greatest risk of self-reported rather than physician-diagnosed disease. Active prevention with multidisciplinary interventions is needed.
Mattia et al., Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2025Secondary Lymphoedema in Cancer Patients — International Survey Now Open
WG1's survey on disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of secondary lymphoedema is now live. Help map how services detect and manage it worldwide.
LymphoedemaConsensus guidance on surveillance and staging of cancer-related lymphoedema
An agreed staging system and a structured surveillance pathway for the first 24 months after treatment.
LymphoedemaCompression therapy and access to specialist lymphoedema services
A global picture of therapist density and of the cost of compression garments to patients.
LymphoedemaExample preview based on the Secondary Lymphoedema International Survey — the summary and recommended resources shown here are illustrative. Participants see a personalised version generated from their own answers.