POSTMASTECTOMY LYMPHEDEMA

Disturbing lymphedema of the related arm occurs in 20 to 30 per cent of patients after conventional mastectomy.Infection, obesity and radiation therapy are the most important contributing factors in the development of swollen arm.Continuous suction drainage of the wound and the use of antibiotics will reduce the incidence of infection.Lymphangiosarcoma is a rare fatal complication of postmastectomy lymphedema.     

The Influence of Arm Swelling Duration on Shoulder Pathology in Breast Cancer Patients with Lymphedema

Purpose

To evaluate the pathological effect of the duration of arm swelling on the shoulder pathology in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Methods

Forty seven breast cancer patients with unilateral arm lymphedema were assessed. The duration of the arm swelling and shoulder pain were recorded. Ultrasound examination of the shoulder joint was performed in all patients to detect any lesions.

Results

Abnormalities were detected by ultrasound in 41/47 (87.2%) study participants. Subacromial subdeltoid bursal thickening was found in 26/47 (55.3%) participants, distension of the biceps brachii tendon sheath was found in 14/47 (29.8%) and a supraspinatus tendon tear was found in 13/47 (27.7%). Patients with a supraspinatus tendon tear were found to have a significantly longer duration of lymphedema (1310 days vs. 398 days, p = 0.032).

Conclusions

The duration of arm lymphedema has a progressive pathological effect on rotator cuff. Clinicians should adopt an early management approach of shoulder pain in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.     

Autologous stem cells for the treatment of post-mastectomy lymphedema: a pilot study

BACKGROUND AIMS. Lymphedema is a common complication with breast cancer treatment that does not have a definite cure. Our objective was to determine the efficacy of autologous stem cells (ASC) in the treatment of lymphedema secondary to mastectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy in comparison with traditional decongestive treatment with compression sleeves. METHODS. A prospective study including 20 women with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer surgery with axillary lymphadenectomy was conducted. Women were assigned at random to one of two groups. One group of 10 women was injected with ASC in the affected arm, whereas the other 10 women comprised the control group and received traditional compression sleeve therapy (CST). The follow-up for both groups was 12 weeks. Pain, sensitivity and mobility were assessed before and after therapy. RESULTS. There was improvement in the volume of lymphedema in both groups, with no significant difference. In the ASC group there was an overall volume reduction during the follow-up, whereas in the CST group lymphedema recurred after the compression sleeve was removed. CONCLUSIONS. Our findings suggest that ASC injection for patients with lymphedema can be an effective treatment. It reduces arm volume and associated co-morbidities of pain and decreased sensitivity. Traditional CST was also effective for lymphedema reduction, but it was dependent on continuous use of the treatment.     

乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结清扫术后上肢淋巴水肿的危险因素分析

研究背景：乳腺癌是女性常见的恶性肿瘤之一,同时也是治愈率最高的癌症,文献报道早期乳腺癌术后5年生存率达85．16％。上肢淋巴水肿是腋窝淋巴结清扫术后常见并发症,术后10—35％患者出现上肢水肿,就上肢淋巴水肿的风险因素,国内外做了许多研究,但结果不一,分歧较大。方法：抽取60例腋窝淋巴结清扫术后患者,调查统计可能与腋窝淋巴结清扫术后上肢淋巴水肿相关的8个因素（变量）：年龄、临床分期、是否放疗、是否出现延迟愈合／感染／积液等术后其它并发症、术后上肢功能锻炼、是否是优势侧,平时是否参加体育锻炼,是否有高血压等合并症。数据采用SPSS13．0分析软件以logistic回归方法进行分析。结果：四项关联因素分别为：1、是否放疗（OR=8．966）2、延迟愈合／感染／积液等其它术后并发症（0R=8．493）3、术后上肢功能锻炼（OR=0．194）4、高血压（0R=5．609）。结论：放疗、其它术后并发症、高血压为腋窝淋巴结清扫术后上肢淋巴水肿的风险因素,而术后上肢功能锻炼为术后水肿的保护因素。     

A historical literature review on the role of posterior axillary boost field in the axillary lymph node coverage and development of lymphedema following regional nodal irradiation in breast cancer

To elucidate whether (1) a posterior axillary boost (PAB) field is an optimal method to target axillary lymph nodes (LNs); and (2) the addition of a PAB increases the incidence of lymphedema, a systematic review was undertaken. A literature search was performed in the PubMed database. A total of 16 studies were evaluated. There were no randomized studies. Seven articles have investigated dosimetric aspects of a PAB. The remaining 9 articles have determined the effect of a PAB field on the risk of lymphedema. Only 2 of 9 articles have prospectively reported the impact of a PAB on the risk of lymphedema development. There are conflicting reports on the necessity of a PAB. The PAB field provides a good coverage of level I/II axillary LNs because these nodes are usually at a greater depth. The main concern regarding a PAB is that it produces a hot spot in the anterior region of the axilla. Planning studies optimized a traditional PAB field. Prospective studies and the vast majority of retrospective studies have reported the use of a PAB field does not result in increasing the risk of lymphedema development over supraclavicular-only field. The controversies in the incidence of lymphedema suggest that field design may be more important than field arrangement. A key factor regarding the use of a PAB is the depth of axillary LNs. The PAB field should not be used unless there is an absolute indication for its application. Clinicians should weigh lymphedema risk in individual patients against the limited benefit of a PAB, in particular after axillary dissection. The testing of the inclusion of upper arm lymphatics in the regional LN irradiation target volume, and universal methodology measuring lymphedema are all areas for possible future studies.     

A triceps musculocutaneous flap for chest-wall defects

A posterior upper arm flap based on the profunda brachii vessels has been described to cover soft-tissue defects in the upper anterolateral chest. In our series, the posterior upper arm skin is elevated with the long head of the triceps muscle to cover seven chest-wall defects resulting from indolent postradiation open wounds following partial TRAM flap failure (n = 2), soft-tissue deficiencies following partial TRAM flap loss (n = 3), and primarily as an ancillary flap in TRAM flap breast reconstruction (n = 2). This flap also may be used to supply well-vascularized tissue in the regions of the shoulder, axilla, and posterolateral back. A prerequisite for this operation is redundant tissue of the upper arm often present in middle-aged women and in patients with lymphedema following mastectomy. In our series of seven patients, all donor sites were closed primarily, and there was no subjective functional deficit following transfer of the long head of the triceps muscle.     

HGF and MET mutations in primary and secondary lymphedema

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial space. Primary lymphedema is a rare genetic condition with both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive modes of inheritance. Three genes, FLT4 (VEGFR3), FOXC2, and SOX18 cause varying forms of primary lymphedema. In industrialized countries, secondary lymphedema is usually associated with cancer therapy and/or trauma. Recent observations suggested that hepatocyte growth factor/high affinity hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGF/MET) were new candidate lymphedema genes. METHODS AND RESULTS: The coding exons and flanking regions of HGF and MET were directly sequenced in 145 lymphedema probands, 59 unrelated women with secondary lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer, 21 individual patients with lymphedema and intestinal lymphangiectasia, and at least 159 unrelated ethnic matched control individuals. Mutations leading to truncation or missense changes in evolutionarily conserved residues of HGF and MET were identified. These mutations were not polymorphic in control individuals. CONCLUSIONS:The identification of HGF/MET mutations in primary lymphedema, lymphedema/lymphangiectasia, and breast cancer-associated secondary lymphedema suggests that the HGF/MET pathway is causal or alters susceptibility for a broad range of lymphedema phenotypes. The HGF/MET pathway provides a new target for the prevention and/or treatment of lymphedema.     

Treatment Related Impairments in Arm and Shoulder in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the developed world. As a result of breast cancer treatment, many patients suffer from serious complaints in their arm and shoulder, leading to limitations in activities of daily living and participation. In this systematic literature review we present an overview of the adverse effects of the integrated breast cancer treatment related to impairment in functions and structures in the upper extremity and upper body and limitations in daily activities. Patients at highest risk were defined.

Methods and Findings

We conducted a systematic literature search using the databases of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane from 2000 to October 2012, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Included were studies with patients with stage I–III breast cancer, treated with surgery and additional treatments (radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy). The following health outcomes were extracted: reduced joint mobility, reduced muscle strength, pain, lymphedema and limitations in daily activities. Outcomes were divided in within the first 12 months and >12 months post-operatively. Patients treated with ALND are at the highest risk of developing impairments of the arm and shoulder. Reduced ROM and muscle strength, pain, lymphedema and decreased degree of activities in daily living were reported most frequently in relation to ALND. Lumpectomy was related to a decline in the level of activities of daily living. Radiotherapy and hormonal therapy were the main risk factors for pain.

Conclusions

Patients treated with ALND require special attention to detect and consequently address impairments in the arm and shoulder. Patients with pain should be monitored carefully, because pain limits the degree of daily activities. Future research has to describe a complete overview of the medical treatment and analyze outcome in relation to the treatment. Utilization of uniform validated measurement instruments has to be encouraged.     

Temporal and spatial patterns of endogenous danger signal expression after wound healing and in response to lymphedema

While acute tissue injury potently induces endogenous danger signal expression, the role of these molecules in chronic wound healing and lymphedema is undefined. The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal expression patterns of the endogenous danger signals high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and heat shock protein (HSP)70 during wound healing and chronic lymphatic fluid stasis. In a surgical mouse tail model of tissue injury and lymphedema, HMGB1 and HSP70 expression occurred along a spatial gradient relative to the site of injury, with peak expression at the wound and greater than twofold reduced expression within 5 mm (P < 0.05). Expression primarily occurred in cells native to injured tissue. In particular, HMGB1 was highly expressed by lymphatic endothelial cells (>40% positivity; twofold increase in chronic inflammation, P < 0.001). We found similar findings using a peritoneal inflammation model. Interestingly, upregulation of HMGB1 (2.2-fold), HSP70 (1.4-fold), and nuclear factor (NF)-κβ activation persisted at least 6 wk postoperatively only in lymphedematous tissues. Similarly, we found upregulation of endogenous danger signals in soft tissue of the arm after axillary lymphadenectomy in a mouse model and in matched biopsy samples obtained from patients with secondary lymphedema comparing normal to lymphedematous arms (2.4-fold increased HMGB1, 1.9-fold increased HSP70; P < 0.01). Finally, HMGB1 blockade significantly reduced inflammatory lymphangiogenesis within inflamed draining lymph nodes (35% reduction, P < 0.01). In conclusion, HMGB1 and HSP70 are expressed along spatial gradients and upregulated in chronic lymphatic fluid stasis. Furthermore, acute expression of endogenous danger signals may play a role in inflammatory lymphangiogenesis.     

An experimental model for chronic lymphedema

Although a multitude of operations exist for the treatment of lymphedema, none is highly successful. An experimental model that reliably and easily produces chronic lymphedema in an extremity would be useful to study treatments in a controlled and comparative manner and would enhance our understanding of the physiology and treatment of lymphedema. Many models that simulate clinical lymphedema have been described, but they suffer from cumbersome protocols, high laboratory costs, and an inconsistent yield of permanent lymphedema. We describe an experimental model for chronic lymphedema in the lower extremity of the rat that creates a lymphatic block in the groin induced by radiation treatment and one operation--surgical division of the superficial and deep lymphatics. All animals develop stable chronic lymphedema of the lower extremity within days of operation, with swelling that persists for at least 9 months. A mortality rate of 8 percent was associated with this technique. Methods for quantification of limb swelling are described, as is analysis of the lymphatic block by lymphoscintigraphic imaging of lymph channels and nodes. This model has the advantages of simplicity of technique, cost-effective use of rodent subjects, reproducibility of lymphedema, and quantification of results.     

自拟温阳利水汤联合地奥司明治疗乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿的疗效观察

摘要 目的：探究自拟温阳利水汤联合地奥司明治疗乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿的疗效。方法：选择2013年1月至2019年6月在我院经病理确诊为乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿的住院患者80例,根据治疗方式不同分为两组,每组各40例,其中,对照组采用地奥司明进行治疗,研究组在对照组基础上联合自拟温阳利水汤进行治疗,两组均连续治疗15 d;对比两组的治疗总有效率,对比两组治疗前后的腕横纹、肘横纹、腕横纹上10 cm、肘横纹上10 cm处臂围;对比两组患者治疗前后的前屈、后伸、外展、内收等活动角度。结果：研究组治疗总有效率95.00 %（38/40）显著高于对照组75.00 %（30/40）,对比有显著差异（P＜0.05）;治疗前,两组的腕横纹、肘横纹、腕横纹上10 cm、肘横纹上10 cm处臂围对比无统计学差异（P＞0.05）;治疗后,两组的腕横纹、肘横纹、腕横纹上10 cm、肘横纹上10 cm处臂围均比治疗前有所减小,且研究组更小（P＜0.05）;治疗前,两组的前屈、后伸、外展、内收等活动角度对比无统计学差异（P＞0.05）;治疗后,两组患者的前屈、后伸、外展、内收等活动角度均比治疗前有所增大,且研究组更大（P＜0.05）。结论：自拟温阳利水汤联合地奥司明治疗乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿的疗效显著,该方法可有效改善患者的肩关节活动度,临床应用价值较高。     

Evaluating the Burden of Lymphedema Due to Lymphatic Filariasis in 2005 in Khurda District,Odisha State,India

BackgroundOver 1.1 billion people worldwide are at risk for lymphatic filariasis (LF), and the global burden of LF-associated lymphedema is estimated at 16 million affected people, yet country-specific estimates are poor.SignificanceThese data highlight the magnitude of lymphedema in LF-endemic areas and emphasize the need to develop robust estimates of numbers of individuals with lymphedema in order to identify the extent of lymphedema management services needed in these regions.     

Feasibility and Effectiveness of Basic Lymphedema Management in Leogane,Haiti, an Area Endemic for Bancroftian Filariasis

Background

Approximately 14 million persons living in areas endemic for lymphatic filariasis have lymphedema of the leg. Clinical studies indicate that repeated episodes of bacterial acute dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA) lead to progression of lymphedema and that basic lymphedema management, which emphasizes hygiene, skin care, exercise, and leg elevation, can reduce ADLA frequency. However, few studies have prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of basic lymphedema management or assessed the role of compressive bandaging for lymphedema in resource-poor settings.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Between 1995 and 1998, we prospectively monitored ADLA incidence and leg volume in 175 persons with lymphedema of the leg who enrolled in a lymphedema clinic in Leogane, Haiti, an area endemic for Wuchereria bancrofti. During the first phase of the study, when a major focus of the program was to reduce leg volume using compression bandages, ADLA incidence was 1.56 episodes per person-year. After March 1997, when hygiene and skin care were systematically emphasized and bandaging discouraged, ADLA incidence decreased to 0.48 episodes per person-year (P<0.0001). ADLA incidence was significantly associated with leg volume, stage of lymphedema, illiteracy, and use of compression bandages. Leg volume decreased in 78% of patients; over the entire study period, this reduction was statistically significant only for legs with stage 2 lymphedema (P = 0.01).

Conclusions/Significance

Basic lymphedema management, which emphasized hygiene and self-care, was associated with a 69% reduction in ADLA incidence. Use of compression bandages in this setting was associated with an increased risk of ADLA. Basic lymphedema management is feasible and effective in resource-limited areas that are endemic for lymphatic filariasis.     

The resolution of lymphedema by interstitial flow in the mouse tail skin

Lymphangiogenesis is considered a promising approach for increasing fluid drainage during secondary lymphedema. However, organization of lymphatics into functional capillaries may be dependent upon interstitial flow (IF). The present study was undertaken to determine the importance of lymphangiogenesis for lymphedema resolution. We created a lymphatic obstruction that produces lymphedema in mouse tail skin. The relatively scar-free skin regeneration that occurred across the obstruction allowed the progression of lymphangiogenesis to be observed and compared with the evolution of lymphedema. The role of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C)/VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 signaling in lymphedema resolution was investigated by exogenous administration of VEGF-C or neutralizing antibodies against VEGFR-3. VEGF-C protein improved lymphedema at 15 days [reducing dermal thickness from 742 +/- 105 to 559 +/- 141 microm with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), P < 0.05] without increasing lymphatic capillary coverage (11.6 +/- 6.4% following VEGF-C treatment relative to 9.6 +/- 6.2% with 95% CIs, P > 0.50). Blocking VEGFR-3 signaling did not inhibit lymphedema resolution at 25 days (dermal thickness of 462 +/- 127 microm following VEGFR-3 inhibition relative to 502 +/- 87 microm with 95% CIs) or inhibit IF, although VEGFR-3 blocking prevented lymphangiogenesis (reducing lymphatic coverage to 0.2 +/- 0.7% relative to 8.7 +/- 7.3% with 95% CIs, P < 0.005). A second mouse tail lymphedema model was employed to investigate the ability of VEGF-C to increase fluid drainage across a scar. We found that neither neutralization of VEGFR-3 nor administration of VEGF-C affected the course of skin swelling over 25 days. These findings suggest that resolution of lymphedema in the mouse tail skin may be more dependent upon IF and regeneration of the extracellular matrix across the obstruction than lymphatic capillary regeneration.     

Overview of surgical treatments for breast cancer-related lymphedema

Breast cancer-related upper extremity lymphedema is an unsolved iatrogenic complication with a reported incidence ranging from 9 to 41 percent. The increase in volume and recurrent cellulitis of the affected limb cause both physical and mental distress to many breast cancer survivors. However, postmastectomy lymphedema has received little attention, and no curative treatment is available. Conservative treatment with decongestive therapy has been the primary choice for lymphedema treatment, but it is cumbersome and has limited benefits. To date, there is no consensus on surgical procedure and protocol. However, refinements in microsurgical techniques and improved examination devices may lead to the establishment of a standard surgical treatment for lymphedema. This review of surgical procedures for the treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema focuses on microsurgical lymphovenous shunt operations and discusses current issues in surgical treatment and the need for uniform treatment standards.     

Candidate gene analysis in primary lymphedema

BACKGROUND: Primary lymphedema, the accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial space, is the clinical manifestation of mutations involved in lymphatic development and function. Mutations in three genes, VEGFR3, FOXC2, and SOX18, cause primary lymphedema. However, mutations in these three genes only account for a fraction of primary lymphedema. To identify other genes mutated in primary lymphedema, we resequenced twenty-five biologically plausible candidate genes for lymphedema in a large collection of primary lymphedema families. METHODS AND RESULTS: Candidate genes were selected on the basis of gene expression in lymphatic endothelial cells, differential antigenic expression in lymphatics, and mouse studies of lymphatic development. The gene sequence was downloaded from GenBank and sequence primers designed to amplify 1 Kb of the 5' sequence, exons and flanking intron-exon boundaries, and 500 bp of the UTR of each gene. No common causative mutations were observed among the 25 genes screened. Single mutations were observed in elastin microfibril interfacer (EMILIN1), lymphocyte cytosolic protein 2 (LCP2), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), protein tyrosine kinase SYK (SYK), neuropilin-2 (NRP2), SpSRY-box 17 (SOX17), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), ROR orphan receptor C (RORC), and vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGFB). Among these, the mutations in EMILIN1, RORC, LCP2, SYK, and VEGFB failed to segregate with lymphedema. The mutations in FABP4 (2), NRP2, SOX17, and VACM1 are consistent with being causative mutations, but occur in families too small to convincingly confirm cosegregation of mutation and phenotype. CONCLUSION: We excluded mutation in 21 biological candidate genes as a common cause of primary lymphedema. Mutations in FABP4, NRP2, SOX17 and VCAM1 are consistent with causality and follow up of these four genes are warranted. The evidence for FABP4 harboring lymphedema mutations is discussed.     

Computed tomographic symptomatology of lymphedema of the lower extremities]

CT potentialities in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema in 40 patients (11 men and 29 women), aged 16 to 56, are illustrated. Eighty studies on the limbs were performed to 20 patients with primary lymphedema, 6 with congenital lymphedema, 26 with secondary lymphedema, and 28 with unaffected limbs. The data were statistically processed according to the following parameters: leg diameter, skin and subcutaneous fat thickness and density, the presence of fibrosis in subcutaneous fat, its localization, shape and spreading, fascial thickness. CT permitted objective assessment of disease and a right choice of a type of surgical intervention.     

Proteomic profiling of lymphedema development in mouse model

The lymphatic vascular system plays an important role in tissue fluid homeostasis. Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive, and incurable condition that leads to lymphatic fluid retention; it may be primary (heritable) or secondary (acquired) in nature. Although there is a growing understanding of lymphedema, methods for the prevention and treatment of lymphedema are still limited. In this study, we investigated differential protein expressions in sham‐operated and lymphedema‐operated mice for 3 days, using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) and mass spectrometry analysis. Male improved methodology for culturing noninbred (ICR) mice developed lymphedema in the right hindlimb. Twenty functional proteins were found to be differentially expressed between lymphedema induced‐right leg tissue and normal left leg tissue. Out of these proteins, the protein levels of apolipoprotein A‐1 preprotein, alpha‐actinin‐3, mCG21744, parkinson disease, serum amyloid P‐component precursor, annexin A8, mKIAA0098 protein, and fibrinogen beta chain precursor were differentially upregulated in the lymphedema mice compared with the sham‐operated group. Western blotting analysis was used to validate the proteomics results. Our results showing differential up‐regulation of serum amyloid P‐component precursor, parkinson disease, and apolipoprotein A‐1 preprotein in lymphedema model over sham‐operated model suggest important insights into pathophysiological target for lymphedema. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reduction of postoperative lymphedema after oral tumor surgery with sodium selenite

The objective of this double-blind, randomized study was to establish whether sodium selenite administered orally or intravenously reduces postoperative lymphedema after oral tumor surgery and to study the effect of sodium selenite on glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and oxygen radical production. Twenty patients were enrolled in the study. Each of the participants received 1000 μg sodium selenite intravenously or orally daily for 3 wk during the pre-, intra-, and postoperative period. The extent of lymphedema was measured for 2 wk and the plasma and whole-blood selenium concentration, GPX, reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO, and malonic dialdehyde were measured for 1 yr postoperatively. There was an inverse correlation between the severity of the lymphedema and the wholeblood/plasma selenium concentration and GPX activity. In addition, a positive correlation between the ROS concentration and the extent of lymphedema was observed. A significant reduction of lymphedema occurred in the sodium selenite-treated group. It is concluded that sodium selenite represents a suitable adjuvant treatment of secondary lymphedema in surgically treated patients with tumors in the oral and maxillofacial areas. Treatment with sodium selenite is especially advantageous as it can be instituted immediately after surgery prior to wound healing when manual lymphatic decongestion therapy cannot be applied.     

Design of lymphedema ultrasound phantom with 3D-printed patient-specific subcutaneous anatomy: A-mode analysis approach for early diagnosis

The secondary lymphedema is mostly caused due to injury of lymphatic system during cancer treatment and its psychological and cosmetic issues are very critical for patients since it can cause severe thickening and swelling of lesions, mostly upper and lower limbs. Therefore, early diagnosis of the secondary lymphedema is more important to treat the symptoms in advance. The amplitude-mode (A-mode) ultrasound is suggested as an early diagnostic modality because it is relatively more cost-effective, portable, and easy to use than other previous diagnostic modalities. In order to see features of the A-mode ultrasound forearly diagnosis of lymphedema, ultrasound lymphedema phantoms were designed and fabricated with patient-specific subcutaneous honeycomb structures at the sub-stages of the international society of lymphedema (ISL) stage II and gelatin- or gelatin-salt based phantom materials. The patent-specific honeycomb structures were segmented from computed tomography (CT) venography images using various image process technologies and printed using a three dimensional (3D) printer for which its printing material shows similar acoustic impedance range with human subcutaneous tissues. The lymphedema phantoms showed similar subcutaneous anatomical features to those of patient's imagesin brightness mode (B-mode) ultrasound examination, and acoustic information originated from the stage-specific honeycomb structures was well represented in A-mode ultrasound examination. In particular, the A-mode wave form well represented stage-specific honeycomb information even with higher impedance value of fibrous fat region. Such stage-specific wave form information of A-mode ultrasound for the corresponding stage-specific lymphedema phantoms at the ISL stage II can be useful for further development of an A-mode ultrasound applications for early diagnosis of the secondary lymphedema.