Date of Award

Spring 2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Department

Physical Therapy; College of Health Sciences

First Advisor

Kerstin Palombaro

Abstract

All breast cancer treatment leads to soft tissue changes in the treated quadrant. While these changes are chronic, they are also identifiable and manageable with care from an appropriate provider. Scarring, lymphedema, radiation fibrosis syndrome (RFS), and axillary web syndrome (AWS) may all be part of the post-treatment soft tissue changes for a breast cancer survivor.

Familiarity with the likely presentation and lifelong management of a patient’s specific symptom burden is crucial. While any physical therapist can rehabilitate the neuropathies, shoulder pain, postural dysfunction, or other numerous orthopedic issues that may occur, there is an acknowledged deficit in the treatment of specific post treatment issues,1 in availability of appropriate clinicians with adequate knowledge and experience to manage these specific concerns, and in clinician willingness to treat this specialized population.2 Both providers and patients may be unaware of the lifelong functional and comfort improvements possible with early recognition of and intervention for post-treatment soft tissue and functional changes,2 as opposed to delaying referral.

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BENEFITS OF EARLY INTERVENTION WITH A CERTIFIED LYMPHEDEMA THERAPIST FOR MANAGEMENT OF RADIATION FIBROSIS SYNDROME (RFS) AND AXILLARY WEB SYNDROME (AWS) IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

All breast cancer treatment leads to soft tissue changes in the treated quadrant. While these changes are chronic, they are also identifiable and manageable with care from an appropriate provider. Scarring, lymphedema, radiation fibrosis syndrome (RFS), and axillary web syndrome (AWS) may all be part of the post-treatment soft tissue changes for a breast cancer survivor.

Familiarity with the likely presentation and lifelong management of a patient’s specific symptom burden is crucial. While any physical therapist can rehabilitate the neuropathies, shoulder pain, postural dysfunction, or other numerous orthopedic issues that may occur, there is an acknowledged deficit in the treatment of specific post treatment issues,1 in availability of appropriate clinicians with adequate knowledge and experience to manage these specific concerns, and in clinician willingness to treat this specialized population.2 Both providers and patients may be unaware of the lifelong functional and comfort improvements possible with early recognition of and intervention for post-treatment soft tissue and functional changes,2 as opposed to delaying referral.