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ONCOLOGICAL REHABILITATION TREATMENT
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. Despite its high incidence, the risk of the disease resulting in negative outcome is relatively low, especially if intervention occurs in a timely manner. The 5-year survival rate from diagnosis is on average 92% (source: AIRC).
Today, most oncological prostate surgeries are minimally invasive, utilizing advanced laparoscopic or robotic systems.
In addition to intervening on the prostate gland, in almost all cases, the patient also undergoes pelvic lymphadenectomy, which involves the removal of the lymph nodes that drain lymph from the prostate gland.
This is done to safely remove all of the tumor and its cells, allowing for the definitive healing of the patient.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF PROSTATE SURGERY
Oncological prostate surgery can lead to several complications, including: lymphocele (the most common), swelling of the external genitalia, deep vein thrombosis, damage to nerve and vascular structures, urinary incontinence, and most importantly, the onset of chronic lymphoedema.
Any surgical intervention that necessitates the removal of lymph nodes can, in fact, result in the development of lymphoedema.
Even the removal of a single sentinel lymph node increases the risk of lymphoedema by 2% to 7%.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can further increase this risk.
HOW TO PREVENT LYMPHOEDEMA AFTER
PROSTATE SURGERY
Taking timely preventive action through a post- operative “oncological rehabilitation” treatment is the only effective strategy to prevent lymphedema following prostate surgery with lymph node removal.
Unfortunately, secondary lymphoedema is an increasingly common condition resulting from lymph node removal in oncological surgery.
Fortunately, an oncological rehabilitation programme that begins immediately after the surgery can significantly minimize the onset of this chronic condition.
Only a clinic dedicated to lymphology, with a multidisciplinary approach and physiotherapists trained in oncological, breast, and lymphological care, can intervene in the immediate post- operative phase, manage all types of complications, and establish a personalized rehabilitation programme.
