I was honored when Carole Lewis contacted and invited me to be the Issue Editor for this special issue after publishing one of my articles in Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. Having been a physiotherapist for 16 years and a lymphedema therapist for 12 years, I always believed the importance of interdisciplinary work, so I decided to build up an intercontinental issue. I invited authors from America, Germany, and Turkey.

The subjects of this special issue in Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation are lymphedema, cancer rehabilitation, and venous diseases. This special issue introduces 8 articles that underscore the importance of lymphedema therapy in patients with breast cancer, geriatric amputees, and patients with breast cancer with limited shoulder function and pain. You will also find the importance of cancer knowledge among elderly patients, comparison of quality-of-life instruments for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and the postural stability in pre-elderly women with lymphedema.

In literature, the incidence of lymphedema among elderly patients is approximately 25% to 40%. It is critically important to search for a cure of lymphedema because of the burden associated with daily functions, quality of life, and self-esteem of patients. In recent years, the popularity of complex decongestive physiotherapy, which includes lymph drainage, skin care, compression therapy, and decongestive exercise, is increasing. This technique was invented and developed in 1980s by Prof Michael Foldi, MD, from Germany. He and his spouse have been working in this field for years, and in this issue you will read Mrs Foldi's article, which is about the history of lymphedema therapy from the beginning till today. This article provides the significance of lymph drainage therapy with a very dramatic case report.

The next authors Fatih Levent Balci and colleagues, MD, who work at Magee-Women's Hospital, which is a well-known clinic in this field in Pittsburgh, reviewed the literature and discussed breast cancer-related lymphedema incidence, diagnosis, and treatment considering elderly patients. Sebnem Avci and colleagues, PhD, PT, from Turkey have been working with elderly people for many years. Their article is a good example of geriatric cancer knowledge from one province of Turkey. I believe that this article will help you to compare cancer knowledge level between Turkish people and the ones from other countries. Jane M. Armer and colleagues, PhD, RN, FAAN, are known for their studies in this field, and they have contributed to this special issue an article about rehabilitation concepts among aging survivors living with and at risk for lymphedema.

As a public disease, CVI shows an increase, especially in elderly patients. The symptoms of this disease highly influence the quality of life of the patient. There is a lack of quality-of-life questionnaires, especially for CVI. Ozlem Cinar Ozdemir and colleagues, MSc, PT, compared 2 quality-of-life scales in elderly patients with CVI.

Amputation is a serious trauma for people. Long-term immobilization during and after amputation affects balance in elderly patients. Having the permanent prosthesis as soon as possible may prevent/decrease depression in patients. However, edema at the amputation site should disappear before permanent prosthesis may be used. Semra Topuz and colleagues, PhD, PT, emphasize the importance of early treatment of stump edema in elderly amputees.

Lymphedema after breast cancer may cause edema in arm as well as pain and loss of function in the shoulder. Volga Bayrakci Tunay and colleagues, PhD, PT, evaluated the effects of a multidimensional physiotherapy program on shoulder function, pain, and lymphedema.

And finally, you will read an article from Selda Bas [spacing cedilla]ar, PhD, PT, about the effect of breast cancer-related lymphedema on postural balance in women.

I would like to thank Carole Lewis once more, and I hope you like this special issue.

-Yesim Bakar, PhD, PT

Associate Professor

Abant Izzet Baysal University

School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Bolu

Turkey

[email protected]