ASCO 2021 | Vascularised lymph node transfer in patients with cancer treatment-related lymphoedema

Aadil A. Khan, MRCS, PhD, FRCS & Kelvin Ramsey, MB BChir, MRCSEd, FRCSEd, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, discuss the findings of a meta-analysis of the efficacy of vascularized lymph node transfer in reducing limb volume and cellulitis episodes in patients with cancer treatment-related lymphoedema. Vascularised lymph node transfer (VLNT) can reconstruct lymphatic flow to reduce limb volumes, but limited higher-order evidence exists to support its effectiveness. The results of this meta-analysis suggest that VLNT is effective in reducing excess limb volume and cellulitis episodes in both upper limb and lower limb lymphoedema after cancer treatment. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2021 Virtual Meeting.