This is becauselymph nodessmall structures throughout the body that help filter and drain fluidmay be removed or damaged.
This is often the case with breast cancer.
Improved cancer treatments mean improved survival rates.
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They also mean more people may develop lymphedema and have questions about how to deal with it.
Why Does Lymphedema Happen?
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system.
The system of channels that make this happen are joined together by lymph nodes.
You have about 600 of them throughout the body and they have different zones that they tend to.
Lymph nodes in the groin area will drain and filter tissue fluid from the legs.
The nodes in the armpits help drain and filter lymph coming from the arms.
All of this works exceptionally wellexcept when something is impeding the ability of lymph to drain properly.
This may lead to lymphedema in the zone of the body near the affected lymph node.
For example, a blockage in the groin can mean swelling in one or both legs.
A block in the armpits can do the same to the arms.
It is not at all the same as lymphedema, although the two can be linked.
There may be permanent, mild-to-severe swelling of the affected body parts resulting from fat deposits and scarring.
Lymphedema symptoms can include:
Treatment
Lymphedema is considered a chronic progressive condition.
It can be managed, but it cannot yet be cured.
For now, the standard treatment is called decongestive treatment to reset the roadblock in the lymphatic system.
Self-Care
For lymphedema, there are steps you and your healthcare provider can take to improve symptoms.
They include:
These practices are a part of standard decongestive treatment for lymphedema.
They all are geared toward helping the body to drain lymph away from the affected site.
The two options are ablative (debulking) surgery and functional (physiologic) surgery.
Ablative or debulkingprocedures have been in use since the early- to mid-20th century.
These techniques reduce the volume of swollen limbs, but they can cause scarring and other complications.
Liposuction may be used to remove fat tissue and return the limb to normal size.
In more complex cases, damaged skin may be removed as well.
Even with success, people may need to use compression sleeves or bandages for a lifetime.
Functional or physiologicsurgeries include vascular lymph node transfer (VLNT) as well aslymphovenous bypass.
These are newer techniques, so less is known about outcomes or which techniques will ensure the most benefit.
Nonetheless, results have been promising thus far.
Both techniques venture to channel some of the trapped lymph fluid back into the venous system.
Heres how they work.
Notably, in VLNT the transplant includes blood vessels and fat tissue to restore function to the damaged area.
Clinical studies of VLNT so far have shown it helps to improve skin infections after the transfer too.
Link to Cancer Risk
Is there a link between lymphedema and cancer risk?
On the one hand, lymph nodes are often removed in various types of cancers to limit their spread.
Some findings in animal studies support this second view.
This is a very active area of research that scientists are just beginning to understand.
Summary
Lymphedema is considered a chronic but usually manageable condition.
But these arent the only possible causes of blockages in the lymph system.
Your healthcare provider can help to find the cause and start treating the affected site.
Lymphedema may seem yet another new problem to deal with, after all youve been through.
But dont ignore it.
A healthy lymph system is so important to your progress and overall health.
And if those youre trying arent effective, talk to your healthcare team.
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