Tissue water in the head and neck area before and after cancer treatment

Lymphedema in the head and neck area is common after treatment for head and neck cancer.
The aim of the research project is:
• to evaluate test-retest reliability of PWC values localized in the head and neck area, and neck circumferences, of healthy women and men, and to define the limits that indicate changes over time for the PWC values both for single subjects and for a group of subjects.
• to assess the prevalence of lymphedema in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) by measuring the amount of tissue water in the head and neck area before and after different kinds of cancer treatment, and to evaluate quality of life before and after cancer treatment.
• to study the effects of manual lymphatic drainage in head and neck lymphedema.

Head and neck cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the world. Approximately 1.600 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer in Sweden every year. Swelling in the tissue, lymphedema, in the head and neck area is a common side effect after head and neck cancer treatment. Lymphedema left untreated may result in chronic oedema with functional, psychosocial, and cosmetic consequences for long time. Lymphedema in the head and neck area is also associated with poor body image and decreased Quality of Life.  Early treatment is important to prevent lymphedema to become chronic.