Using Compression Therapy to Treat Bilateral Lower Limb Edema in Patients with Lung Cancer: A Case Series

Although rare, marked bilateral leg edema (BLE) can occur in patients with lung cancer. Systemic therapy for the underlying disease is important, but adjunct therapy might also be helpful. In this case series, the authors report on treating BLE in patients with lung cancer with compression therapy using elastic stockings and bandages. From April 2013 to March 2022, the authors conducted a retrospective survey of seven patients who developed marked BLE and received compression therapy. They evaluated effects based on improvements in subjective symptoms as well as objective findings 2 months after the start of the therapy. The bandage therapy was useful in patients who were driver-gene negative, but it was not effective in those who already had "progressive disease" with specific agents for their driver genes. No adverse events were observed. Compression therapy, even when attached or detached by nonmedical personnel, may provide favorable effects and should be considered as an adjunct treatment option in this population, in addition to effective systemic cancer therapy. These results indicate that a prospective clinical trial would be worthwhile.