Researcher

Tessa De Vrieze

Research Expertise (University of Antwerp):My area of expertise lies within lymphology: a particular interest in lymphoedema after cancer, but also primary (congenital) lymphoedema to secondary (acquired) lymphedema due to venous problems or other causes. During my PhD period, my focus was on lymphedema after breast cancer; whereby attention was paid to evaluation methods to assess lymphedema of the arm, but also to the effectiveness of treatment methods (and very specifically manual lymphatic drainage) for breast cancer-related lymphedema, to the degree of functioning and quality of life in patients with lymphedema of the arm after breast cancer. During my post-doctoral research, I will extend my expertise to lower limb lymphedema and investigate methods of evaluating uni- and bilateral leg lymphedema and genital oedema (whether or not congenital or acquired after e.g. gynaecological cancer, urogenital cancer or skin cancer). In addition to the evaluation of lymphedema, research into the management and (conservative) treatment of lymphedema is still central as a second pillar.

Keywords (University of Antwerp):OEDEMA, LYMPHEDEMA, VALIDATION, FITNESS, Medicine

Disciplines (University of Antwerp):Vascular diseases, Cardiac and vascular medicine not elsewhere classified, Public health care not elsewhere classified, Exercise physiology, Kinesitherapy, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation
Disciplines (KU Leuven):Cardiac and vascular medicine, Laboratory medicine, Orthopaedics, Respiratory medicine, Human movement and sports sciences, Rehabilitation sciences

Research techniques (University of Antwerp):Perimetry Volumetry Perometry PROMs Questionnaires

Users of research expertise (University of Antwerp):Researchers who want to investigate the relationship between lymphoedema and/or lipoedema and other comorbidities. Researchers who wish to investigate the effectiveness of specific treatment modalities in lymphoedema and/or lipedema. Health care providers who would like to gain more insight and knowledge about the evaluation and treatment of lymphoedema (congenital or acquired, for example after treatment for cancer).