Note: One type of massage frequently done for cancer patients is termed "manual lymphatic drainage." This uses various light massage techniques to encourage the removal of excess interstitial fluid. Despite massage/manual lymphatic drainage being considered a "common conservative therapy" for cancer lymphedema in the research, some people have wondered whether massage could move cancerous cells around the body via the improved circulation. If you have a concern about this possibility, ask your physician before requesting a massage.

Carol's research pick:
Maria Hernandez-Reif, et al. Breast cancer patients have improved immune and neuroendocrine functions following massage therapy, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Volume 57, Issue 1, Pages 45-52, July 2004. Results: The immediate massage therapy effects included reduced anxiety, depressed mood, and anger. The longer term massage effects included reduced depression and hostility and increased urinary dopamine, serotonin values, NK (natural killer) cell number, and lymphocytes.

Other research links:
A. L. Moseley, C.J. Carati and N.B. Piller, A systematic review of common conservative therapies for arm lymphodema secondary to breast cancer treatment. Annals of Oncology 18: 639-646, 2007. Manual lymphatic drainage reduced edema more than several other therapies but less than when combined with compression bandanges or "complex physical therapy" that included daily manual lymphatic drainage followed by compression bandaging and exercise

Hernandez-Reif M, Field t, etc. Natural killer cells and lymphocytes increase in women with breast cancer following massage therapy. Int J. Neurosci, 2005, Apr; 115(4):495-510. Women diagnosed with breast cancer had higher levels of dopamine, natural killer cells and lymphocytes after massage therapy.