The UCSF Lymphedema Program has been designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center of Excellence in Lymphatic Diseases by the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN), recognizing UCSF’s multidisciplinary approach to advancing care for people living with lymphedema and other lymphatic diseases.
The international designation recognizes centers demonstrating excellence in lymphatic disease care, research, education and collaboration. For UCSF, the recognition reflects years of work across specialties to build a more comprehensive approach to preventing, identifying and treating lymphatic conditions.
Hidelisa Manibusan, PT, DPT, a senior physical therapist in the UCSF Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, has been part of the multidisciplinary effort behind the program’s growth. She said the designation represents the progress UCSF teams have made over the past five years to bring greater attention, expertise and coordinated care to the specialty of lymphatic diseases.
Physical therapy has played an important role in that growth. The department developed a lymphedema surveillance clinic at the Precision Cancer Medicine Building (PCMB) to help identify and address lymphedema earlier and has worked with UCSF’s Hyde and Stanyan location to expand access to lymphedema management services. Teams across UCSF have also developed specialized workflows to help patients navigate care and connect with the services they need.
The clinic reflects a broader shift toward prevention and early intervention in lymphedema care. Lymphedema can develop following cancer treatments such as surgery and radiation, and early identification can help reduce its long-term impact. Physical therapists provide patients with education and individualized strategies that may include compression, lymphatic massage, exercise and progressive strength training.
“The goal is to help patients move through treatment and survivorship with as little disruption as possible,” Dr. Manibusan said. “When we catch lymphedema early, we can often keep patients close to their baseline and independent in daily life. But when it progresses unchecked, it can be debilitating.”
As a LE&RN Comprehensive Cancer Center of Excellence, UCSF joins an international network of institutions committed to advancing the understanding and treatment of lymphatic diseases, improving patient outcomes and expanding access to specialized care.
Learn More
Informational Webinar — September 21
http://tiny.ucsf.edu/wif9p9
Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN)
https://lymphaticnetwork.org
UCSF Lymphedema Program
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/care/services/lymphedema-clinic