Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. This information is produced and provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National Cancer Institute via the Internet web site at http://cancer.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER. Lymphedema is the build-up of fluid in soft body tissues when the lymph system is damaged or blocked. Lymphedema occurs when the lymph system is damaged or blocked. Fluid builds up in soft body tissues and causes swelling. It is a common problem that may be caused by cancer and cancer treatment. Lymphedema usually affects an arm or leg, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Lymphedema can cause long-term physical, psychological, and social problems for patients. The lymph system is a network of lymph vessels, tissues, and organs that carry lymph throughout the body. The parts of the lymph system that play a direct part in lymphedema include the following: The spleen, thymus, tonsils, and bone marrow are also part of the lymph system but do not play a direct part in lymphedema. Lymphedema occurs when lymph is not able to flow through the body the way that it should. When the lymph system is working as it should, lymph flows through the body and is returned to the bloodstream. When part of the lymph system is damaged or blocked by infection, injury, cancer, removal of lymph nodes, or radiation to the affected area, fluid cannot drain from nearby body tissues. Fluid builds up in the tissues and causes swelling. Possible signs of lymphedema include swelling of the arms or legs. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur: Cancer and its treatment are risk factors for lymphedema. Lymphedema is a side effect of cancer and its treatment. The condition may develop months or years after treatment. Risk factors for lymphedema include the following: Lymphedema often occurs in breast cancer patients who had all or part of their breast removed and axillary (underarm) lymph nodes removed. Lymphedema in the legs may occur with vulvar cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, or colorectal cancer. Lymphedema may occur in patients with cancers of the head and neck due to radiation after surgery. Internal lymphedema (swelling inside the body) may result from chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. Lymphedema also may occur after surgery for melanoma, prostate cancer, and sarcoma. Tests that examine the lymph system are used to diagnose lymphedema. It is important to make sure there are no other causes of swelling, such as infection, cancer, or blood clots. The following tests and procedures may be used to diagnose lymphedema: A grading system is also used to diagnose and describe lymphedema. Grades 1, 2, and 3 are based on size of the affected limb and how severe the signs and symptoms are. Stages may be used to describe lymphedema. There are ways to reduce the risk of lymphedema and help lessen the problems it causes. Many methods that help prevent lymphedema can also be used to treat it. Surgery may be a treatment option for lymphedema when other treatments do not work. Treatment of lymphedema may include the following: Compression garments Compression garments are made of fabric that puts a controlled amount of pressure on different parts of the arm or leg to help move fluid and keep it from building up. The fabric may be either elastic or inelastic (also called flat knit and circular knit). The type of fabric that is best depends on the stage of lymphedema and other therapies. Compression device Compression devices are pumps connected to a sleeve that wraps around the arm or leg and applies pressure on and off. This pumping action may help move fluid through lymph vessels and veins and keep fluid from building up in the arm or leg. Compression devices should be used with compression garments. They may be helpful when added to combined therapy. Most of these devices should be used under supervision by a trained professional. Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) CDT is managed by an occupational or physical therapist with special training. CDT consists of manual lymph drainage, bandaging, exercises, and skin care. At the beginning of the program, the therapist gives many treatments over a short time to decrease most of the swelling in the limb with lymphedema. Then the patient continues the program at home to keep the swelling down. Exercise The muscle movement from exercise improves the flow of lymph and the functioning of the heart, which may help treat lymphedema. Resistance exercise may be helpful when added to combined therapy. The American College of Sports Medicine advises that a supervised exercise program is safe for patients with or at risk for lymphedema after breast cancer. The safety of unsupervised exercise and exercise in other cancers is unknown. Drug therapy Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ketoprofen, are being studied in the treatment of lymphedema. Surgery There may be surgery options for some people with lymphedema: Laser therapy Low-level laser therapy uses light to stimulate new growth of lymphatic vessels, improve the flow of lymph fluid, and help repair skin affected by lymphedema. Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available. For more information from the National Cancer Institute about lymphedema, see the following: About PDQ Physician Data Query (PDQ) is the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) comprehensive cancer information database. The PDQ database contains summaries of the latest published information on cancer prevention, detection, genetics, treatment, supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine. Most summaries come in two versions. The health professional versions have detailed information written in technical language. The patient versions are written in easy-to-understand, nontechnical language. Both versions have cancer information that is accurate and up to date and most versions are also available in Spanish. PDQ is a service of the NCI. The NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is the federal government's center of biomedical research. The PDQ summaries are based on an independent review of the medical literature. They are not policy statements of the NCI or the NIH. Purpose of This Summary This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about the causes and treatment of lymphedema. It is meant to inform and help patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making decisions about health care. Reviewers and Updates Editorial Boards write the PDQ cancer information summaries and keep them up to date. These Boards are made up of experts in cancer treatment and other specialties related to cancer. The summaries are reviewed regularly and changes are made when there is new information. The date on each summary ("Updated") is the date of the most recent change. The information in this patient summary was taken from the health professional version, which is reviewed regularly and updated as needed, by the PDQ Supportive and Palliative Care Editorial Board. Clinical Trial Information A clinical trial is a study to answer a scientific question, such as whether one treatment is better than another. Trials are based on past studies and what has been learned in the laboratory. Each trial answers certain scientific questions in order to find new and better ways to help cancer patients. During treatment clinical trials, information is collected about the effects of a new treatment and how well it works. If a clinical trial shows that a new treatment is better than one currently being used, the new treatment may become "standard." Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment. Clinical trials can be found online at NCI's website. For more information, call the Cancer Information Service (CIS), NCI's contact center, at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). Permission to Use This Summary PDQ is a registered trademark. The content of PDQ documents can be used freely as text. It cannot be identified as an NCI PDQ cancer information summary unless the whole summary is shown and it is updated regularly. However, a user would be allowed to write a sentence such as "NCI's PDQ cancer information summary about breast cancer prevention states the risks in the following way: [include excerpt from the summary]." The best way to cite this PDQ summary is: PDQ® Supportive and Palliative Care Editorial Board. PDQ Lymphedema. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Updated <MM/DD/YYYY>. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/lymphedema/lymphedema-pdq. Accessed <MM/DD/YYYY>. 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Last Revised: 2023-08-23 If you want to know more about cancer and how it is treated, or if you wish to know about clinical trials for your type of cancer, you can call the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-422-6237, toll free. A trained information specialist can talk with you and answer your questions. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.Lymphedema (PDQ®): Supportive care - Patient Information [NCI]
General Information About Lymphedema
Anatomy of the lymph system showing the lymph vessels and lymph organs, including the lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. Lymph (clear fluid) and lymphocytes travel through the lymph vessels and into the lymph nodes where the lymphocytes destroy harmful substances. The lymph enters the blood through a large vein near the heart.Prevention and Treatment of Lymphedema
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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.Lymphedema (PDQ®): Supportive care - Patient Information [NCI]