Investigation of the current status of lymphedema management in 45 hospitals in China

Cancer-related lymphedema (CRL) seriously affects patients' quality of life. Many practice guidelines emphasize the importance of early prevention. However, a significant gap exists between these guidelines and clinical practice. This study aimed to understand the current status of lymphedema management in Chinese hospitals and to provide a basis for promoting standardized practices in lymphedema care.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to November 2024 using a self-designed questionnaire on lymphedema management. A convenience sample of 45 hospitals nationwide was surveyed.

The survey revealed that 60% of hospitals had established outpatient clinics for lymphedema, while 46.7% routinely implemented manual lymphatic drainage. Additionally, 68.9% of hospitals performed routine high-risk screening or preoperative assessments for lymphedema. Regarding treatment management, the application rate of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) was 88.9%, but 42.2% of hospitals lacked a standardized fee system. Concerning personnel training, 37.8% of hospitals had not conducted lymphedema training.

Challenges in lymphedema management in Chinese hospitals include the limited implementation of standardized care protocols, incomplete fee systems for treatments, and the low coverage of specialized training. Efforts should focus on enhancing medical staff training, establishing standardized care pathways, and improving technical fee structures to advance the standardized development of lymphedema care.