The PSG Institute of Oncology at PSG Hospital, in collaboration with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), inaugurated the Advanced Lymphedema Care Clinic today in the basement of C Block.
The clinic was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Balaji, Director, PSG Institute of Oncology; Dr. Ramamoorthy, Head, PMR Department; and Dr. Shruthii Nanjundappan, Consultant in Gynecologic Oncology, in the presence of the hospital’s oncology team.
The clinic provides specialised, comprehensive care for patients suffering from lymphedema, particularly cancer survivors requiring long-term rehabilitation and support.
Sharing on lymphedema, Dr. Shruthii Nanjundappan said that during surgery for breast cancer patients, lymph nodes in the armpit are removed with radiation and chemotherapy. After this, patients may develop swelling in the arm, a condition known as lymphedema.
She further shared that in cases of cervical, ovarian, and uterine (endometrial) cancers, removal of lymph nodes can lead to swelling in the legs.
Dr. Shruthii noted that treating lymphedema after its onset is difficult. “Therefore, we make the patients aware of lymphedema before the surgery and teach them physiotherapy techniques to be followed post-operatively. If these are continued regularly after surgery, lymphedema can be prevented,” she said.
She emphasised that, as lymphedema is challenging to treat once it develops, creating awareness is crucial, which led to the launch of this clinic.
She added that after the onset of lymphedema, it can be managed gradually through methods such as massage, lymphopress therapy, compression, and a set of four exercises, helping patients maintain a good quality of life.
“For both prevention and treatment, this clinic has been launched,” she said.
The clinic will function from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and will be open to both PSG patients and walk-in patients.
Dr. Shruthii further stated that the charges are yet to be finalised and assured that the services will be offered in a highly subsidised and affordable manner. “This initiative is exclusively aimed at cancer patients and at creating awareness,” she concluded.
