What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is not uncommon, affecting at least 3 million Americans. Some patients develop it after surgery or radiation therapy for various cancers (breast, prostate, bladder, uterus, melanoma, lymphoma) in which case it is referred to as secondary lymphedema. Other patients develop it without obvious cause at different stages in life (primary lymphedema), and still others develop it after trauma or deep vein thrombosis.

If a lymph channel becomes blocked, perhaps by a tumor or because of damage caused by radiotherapy or surgery, the lymph fluid is unable to pass along the lymph vessel. Excess tissue fluid builds up and causes swelling, because it is unable to drain away through the lymph vessels as it normally would. The medical term for swelling is edema which gives rise to the name Lymphedema. The degree of swelling will depend on the number of nodes and vessels, which have become obstructed or damaged. Another cause of Lymphedema is the removal of lymph nodesby surgery. Surgery or radiotherapy on their own are less likely to result in Lymphedema than if they are both given together to the same area -- for example, when lymph nodes are removed from the armpit during surgery for breast cancer and the area is then treated with radiotherapy. Only a minority of people who have radiotherapy to the lymph nodes will develop Lymphedema. Among those who do develop it, many will experience only mild swelling.

Lymphedema can develop in the arm after breast cancer treatment to the armpit. If cancer or treatment affects nodes in the groin area, then it can occur in the leg. The affected arm or leg may become swollen, stiff, uncomfortable and awkward to move, making daily activities like dressing difficult. It can develop weeks, months or even years after cancer treatment and it is difficult to predict who will be affected. Although Lymphedema is usually found in an arm or leg, other parts of the body can become swollen. There may be swelling of the trunk (chest or abdomen) or groin and more rarely facial swelling if nearby lymph nodes are affected. It is not possible to replace lymph nodes that have been removed or lymphatic vessels, which have been damaged. Once Lymphedema has developed it cannot be cured permanently. However, it can usually be reduced and controlled. The various methods, which can help control Lymphedema, are described on this site.