LYMPHEDEMA IN CHINA – EXPERIENCES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

The history of prevention and treatmentof lymphedema in China is long. Filariallymphedema was the most common type of thedisease in the past with 5 million patientscountrywide in the 1950’s. Great efforts havegone into controlling filariasis during thepast 50 years, and China now has essentiallyeliminated filariasis. In contrast to thereduction in filarial lymphedema, there hasbeen a trend of increase in secondarylymphedema cases after malignant tumorsurgery. Although there are no precise figureson the incidence of lymphedema nationwide,physicians and therapists are in great clinicaldemand. Traditional Chinese medicine hasshown effectiveness for prevention andtreatment of inflammation and alleviatingswelling. The combination with Westernmedicine may offer improved methods forlymphedema treatment.