Post-Mastectomy Phototherapy: a Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: The breast cancer, a common pathology among women, promotes lesion in the ductal and lobular cell structures of the breast, as well as in the adjacent mammary tissue and lymphatic system. Mastectomy is the standard procedure for removal of the malignant nodule and areas where the surgery develops physical and functional complications. Phototherapy is one of the physiotherapeutic resources used to minimize the problems caused, offering an improvement in the quality of life of mastectomized women. Objective: To describe the effects of phototherapy on physical complications after mastectomy. Method: We performed a systematic review of the PubMed, LILACS, PEDro, SciELO, Bandolier, EBSCO, Clinical Evidence, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases from 2008 to 2018. Results: Of the 87 articles found, only six met the inclusion criteria, 5/10 higher grade in the PEDro Scale, being detailed in this review. Phototherapy promoted reduction of shoulder pain, decreased volume and circumference of lymphedema in the upper limb, regulation of the lymphatic and immune systems. Conclusion: It is concluded that the phototherapy applied in post-mastectomy complications has been shown to be a safe therapy in oncology patients, suggesting an improvement on aspects of the individual’s functionality and quality of life.