Recent advances in medical treatment for lymphedema.

As medical treatment for lymphedema, combined physical therapy with guidance regarding daily living is recommended. Recently, training has been conducted on a nationwide scale, and this therapy has gradually and commonly been employed. This therapy consists of daily living guidance to prevent edema deterioration, skin care, manual lymph drainage, compression therapy, and exercise therapy. The number of hospitals in which all procedures can be adequately performed is limited. There is no treatment to completely cure lymphedema. Patients' self-care based on the contents of treatment is essential for relieving symptoms. (English Translation of J Jpn Col Angiol 2008; 48: 167-172.).