Written by Madison Woods, an undergraduate student at UNCW and a Public Health Intern at Going Beyond the Pink.
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is the swelling of a body part due to a build up of lymph fluid that would normally be circulating and drained through the lymphatic system. Lymphedema is commonly seen in the arms and legs but can also occur in the neck, abdomen, and chest. With breast cancer patients in particular it is common for this swelling to occur in the arms, typically on the side where a past surgery has been done.

When surgery is done for breast cancer patients, the lymph nodes near your chest/armpit area are typically removed and this disrupts the natural flow of lymph and other fluid within the lymphatic system. This disruption of flow and drainage is what causes that swelling in the upper extremities. Severe cases of lymphedema can result in trouble with range of motion in the long term, an increased risk of skin infections and sepsis and a breakdown/changes of the skin in the affected area. If you notice persistent swelling in the arms or legs, contact your doctor or lymphedema specialist as soon as possible.

What are the Symptoms of Lymphedema?

Swelling or tingling in parts of the arm/leg, including fingers and toes
Feeling of tightness or heaviness in arm/leg
Restricted range of movement
Hardening or thickening of the skin
Clothes noticeably feel tighter in affected area

Ways to Manage Lymphedema

Luckily, there are many options for treatment and management of lymphedema. The best option if available is most likely going to be seeing a lymphedema specialist. There are many forms of therapy you can get including complete or complex decongestive therapy (CDT), which is a noninvasive form of treatment that includes a multitude of techniques to relieve pain or discomfort. Some of the techniques used in CDT are manual lymph drainage massages to reduce swelling and encourage drainage of the lymph, stretching and strengthening exercises to enhance the range of motion, bandaging with low stretch wraps to help swelling, skin care to ensure against potential infection, and compression garments that will apply pressure and keep lymph moving. Compression garments are a very popular treatment method and can be found online, but it's very important that you get a garment that is fitted appropriately for the degree of lymphedema.

Lymphedema surgery is another treatment option, typically done after some form of therapy has been tried and isn’t showing enough results/progress or the patient has a severe case of lymphedema. One kind of this surgery is called lymphovenous bypass, where the lymphatic system is rerouted to connect to a tiny vein that will allow lymphatic drainage. Another type that's done with breast cancer patients undergoing surgery is called lymphatic microsurgical preventative healing approach (LYMPHA). This procedure is basically lymphatic reconstruction done at the same time the node is removed. This is done while the patient is under anesthesia for the initial surgery and helps prevent lymphedema by restoring the lymph connections in the arm immediately. Another procedure done is lymph node transfer, where healthy nodes are transplanted from a healthy area of the body to the area of the body where the lymphatic channel has been disrupted. It is always best to consult with a lymphedema trained physical therapist before making any decisions for treatment.

How do I know if I have Lymphedema?

If you’re unsure whether you have lymphedema, here are some questions you should ask yourself. If you answer “yes” to any of them, you may benefit from treatment:

Have you had surgery for cancer of the breast, head and neck, cervix, uterus, prostate or skin?
Have you had chemotherapy or radiation treatment?
Does your arm, leg, face or trunk tire easily, especially with activity?
Does your arm or leg seem larger than the other limb?
Have you noticed discomfort at the shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle, face, neck or trunk?
Does your skin feel too tight?
Are the joints of your hand, knee or ankle less flexible?
Have you had a recent infection?
Did a recent airplane flight cause swelling or tightness in your arm or leg?