Lower limb lymphedema (LLL) has a significant affect on women with endometrial cancer (EC), adding to both physical and emotional challenges, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes.
Many women receiving treatment for EC experience menopause-like symptoms. Some also develop lower limb lymphedema (LLL), which causes swelling and discomfort in the legs. LLL can make those menopause-like symptoms worse and affect quality of life.
To understand how common LLL is among women with EC and how it affects them, researchers surveyed 105 women with EC, collecting details about their health, symptoms and how they were feeling overall.
About four in 10 women with EC reported having LLL. The most common issues were aching, heaviness and swelling in their legs. Women with LLL reported more intense menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, anxiety and depression. They also had a harder time physically, emotionally, mentally and socially.
Women with LLL also experienced more fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, and other specific problems like bladder or stomach troubles, body image concerns, back or pelvic pain and hair loss compared to those without LLL.
Read more about endometrial cancer signs and symptoms
This clearly shows that LLL affects the quality of life for women with endometrial cancer, adding to menopause-like symptoms and lowering overall wellbeing, the researchers said. “Health-care professionals, when advising treatment for endometrial cancer, should inform women about the likelihood of LLL and assist in early management of its symptoms during and after endometrial cancer treatment.”
However, there are some limits to this study. It only included a small group of women from one hospital in Northern Taiwan, so the results might not apply everywhere. And since it was a one-time survey, it didn’t track how things change over time.
For the future, the researchers suggest longer-term studies that follow women over time. They also recommend looking for more complete care approaches that help women manage LLL and improve their quality of life.
