Lymphoedema Evidence Library › Topics › Head and neck lymphoedema
Head and neck lymphoedema
Head and neck lymphoedema
12 sources
Evidence in one minute
- Common after head and neck cancer treatment (reported 12–75% depending on definition), worst after surgery plus radiotherapy. Assessment by rating scales (Földi, MD Anderson), facial tape landmarks and photography; treatment by MLD and light compression; practice varies widely. Purcell 2013
- MLD may be more appropriate here than in limbs because compression is hard to apply (ISL). Executive Committee of the International Society of Lymphology 2023
- Bandaging techniques for head, breast and genitalia: European Wound Management Association ; senior editorial advisor Moffatt CJ; consultant editors Mortimer P 2005.
Update 2026-10-08 — downloaded evidence
- Two 2025 systematic reviews: 4 RCTs (exercise + MLD with taping or compression helps external, not internal, swelling); 37 studies (CDT most consistent; surgery for selected cases). Low certainty. de-la-Cruz-Fernández L 2025 · Rajaram 2025
Gaps
Only one primary source held; no trial data.
Update 2026-10-09 — open-access batch 3
- Pneumatic device v usual therapist care: similar symptom improvement at 2 months (Murphy 2026, Tactile-funded) — low. Laser (photobiomodulation) pilot: less external swelling, unblinded, baseline imbalance — very low. Murphy 2026 · Deng 2026
Update 2026-10-09 — open-access batch 7
- Self-management programme (Deng 2025 pilot, 59 patients): skills training and motivational interviewing reduced lymphoedema/fibrosis severity and symptoms v usual care — low; cheap and transferable to SA. Deng 2025
- Head-and-neck pump (Ridner 2021 wait-list trial, Tactile-funded): visible swelling and perceived control improved — very low. Early MLD after oral cancer surgery (Tsai 2022): little added — very low. Ridner 2021 · Tsai 2022
Update 2026-10-09 — open-access batch 9 (reviews)
- Measurement: Patterson scale (internal) and LIDS-H&N (external, patient-reported) are the most reliable. Arends 2023
Update 2026-10-09 — open-access batch 11 (reviews)
- Internal lymphoedema (pharynx/larynx) is commoner than external and affects swallowing, mood and QoL — ask about it (Gaitatzis 2026). Gaitatzis 2026
Update 2026-10-09 — open-access batch 12 (reviews; final)
- Adherence to home self-care is the main barrier (Mullan 2025). Mullan 2025
How the evidence points
| High | Mod. | Low | V. low | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Null or negative | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Sources on this page with a comparison, by the result of their primary outcome and the GRADE certainty of their main finding (Mod. = Moderate, V. low = Very low, None = not graded). Context sources are not counted. How direction is decided.
All 12 sources
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