Nationwide Medical Survey on Regional Disparities in Secondary Lymphedema Surgical Treatment Covered by Health Insurance.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lymphedema is a lifelong complication for cancer survivors, highlighting the need to address the regional disparities in its treatment. To assess the current regional disparities in surgical treatment for lymphedema, we conducted a comprehensive nationwide survey of medical institutions through questionnaires.

Methods

Japanese surgical treatment facilities were categorized into 9 regions, distinguishing between designated cancer hospitals and other medical institutions, as well as high-volume and low-volume hospitals. We examined variations in the number of surgical procedures per capita across regions and analyzed differences in surgical indications between high-volume and low-volume hospitals based on the clinical classification of the International Society of L

SUBMITTER: Akita S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12622639 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature