Understanding the effects of Radiotherapy and Surgical injury on Local immunity and Lymphatic Architecture and Function

Abstract

This thesis aims to provide insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms behind two important clinical problems encountered in patients surviving oncological treatments: 1) Infections in previously radiated sites and 2) Lymphoedema that follows surgical injury to lymphatics or radiation of nodal basins (RTx). Both infection and lymphoedema have significant impact on patient morbidity and quality of life (QOL). Lymphoedema, in particular, has a significant “psychological and social health cost”, and is associated with significant costs in providing long term conservative management to prevent symptom progression and maintenance of QOL outcomes for patients. Therefore, socioeconomic impli..