Lymphedema
When you hear you need breast cancer treatment, your immediate concern is likely getting the best therapy. Your healthcare providers are focused on that same goal. What might be overlooked is a discussion about a side effect
of cancer treatment that affects some people with breast cancer, a condition
called lymphedema
.
Lymphedema happens when lymph fluid builds up in the hand, arm, breast, chest wall
or under the arm on the side where you have cancer, resulting in swelling and other possible symptoms. Lymphedema can occur anytime after treatment—even many years later. As fluid builds up and the area swells, it can cause pain, reduced movement, serious infections, emotional upset and reduced quality of life
.
Researchers believe lymphedema is largely unrecognized and underdiagnosed. Studies show that between 5 and 50 percent of women treated for breast cancer develop the condition, depending on the treatment they receive.
Swelling can be lessened with early and proper detection, skilled therapy and ongoing self-care. Even if swelling goes away, lymphedema is a long-term side effect and remains a health concern for the rest of your life. But with proper treatment, it is possible to manage lymphedema well and move forward with your life.
What Causes Lymphedema?
Just under your skin, above your muscles, lies your lymphatic system. It’s a series of tiny, thin tubes called vessels that carry a nutrient-rich fluid, called lymph
. The vessels travel through a web of lymph nodes — small, round organs that store white blood cells and filter bacteria and waste. Lymph fluid helps your body fight infection
and then drains to other parts of your body. Your lymph system also removes fluid that leaks out of blood vessels, returning it to the system that handles your heart and blood.
To stay healthy, lymph fluid must keep moving. When lymph nodes are damaged or removed because of surgery or radiation
, scar tissue
can form and keep fluid from draining. At first, the tissue may feel firm and thick, but as fluid backs up swelling and inflammation
set in. If the swelling continues, the protein
-filled fluid increases the risk for infection and more swelling.
Surgery can cut through the lymphatic channels, breaking up the pathways where lymph travels. Your risk for lymphedema after surgery depends on:
- The type of breast cancer surgery you had
- The location and number of lymph nodes removed
- The way your body drains the fluid after surgery
- The way your body heals afterward
SurgerySurgery in the armpit, or axillary, region removes lower lymph nodes where the breast and underarm tissue meet. Higher lymph nodes in the underarm area may also be removed.
- An axillary lymph node dissection
removes many nodes in the lower to mid-upper underarm.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
removes only the main nodes to which the breast lymph drains, typically one to three nodes in your lower armpit. Lymphedema can develop after sentinel node biopsy
, but it happens at a lower rate than with an axillary dissection.
- If you had both breasts removed in a bilateral mastectomy, your risk is on the side or sides where lymph nodes were taken.
Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy can also increase the risk for developing lymphedema:
- It can cause scarring, or fibrosis, that prevents lymph flow.
- The wider the area of the breast radiated and the more of the underarm the radiation reaches, the greater the lymphedema risk.
- Postmastectomy radiation, radiation to the chest wall
after the breast is removed or reconstructed, can lead to lymphedema, especially if the lymph node
area also is radiated.
Who Gets Lymphedema?
We do not know why one woman gets lymphedema after breast cancer treatment while another, who has the same treatment, does not. Genes may play a role. If you have concerns about your risk, discuss them with your healthcare team. Worry about the risk of lymphedema should not keep you from getting the cancer treatment that is best for you.
What Are the Risk Factors for Lymphedema?
- Having more than 10 lymph
nodes removed
- Having multiple lymph nodes with cancer
- Having radiation therapy
- Getting an infection
on the side of your body that had surgery
- Overuse or trauma
to the hand or arm on the affected side
- Being a younger age at cancer diagnosis
- Being overweight
or obese
- Gaining weight after treatment
- Certain chemotherapy
treatments, such as the taxanes
What Are the Early Warning Signs of Lymphedema?
Right after breast cancer surgery or radiation
, you may have swelling, called edema
. This is not the same as lymphedema
. But if swelling persists for 3 to 6 months, get a lymphedema evaluation.
It’s important to seek medical advice from your healthcare team as soon you can at the first sign or symptom of lymphedema. The condition
may develop slowly over time or more suddenly if you have an injury or infection
in your arm. Early diagnosis
and getting treatment started quickly has shown to greatly improve lymphedema outcomes.
Some signs to look for:
- You might notice changes in how your skin feels or moves before anyone else sees swelling, including your provider. Speak up about any change you feel.
- Before swelling can be seen, you may feel an achiness, heaviness, tingling or increased warmth in your limb or hand. Monitor the tissue
texture and skin on the side where you had surgery or radiation.
- Are the veins or tendons on one hand harder to see than they used to be?
- Can you see valleys between your knuckles?
- Do your clothes or jewelry fit tighter on the side of the cancer?
- Swelling might occur during the day and go away at night or start and then go away when you elevate the swollen area. Follow up with your provider if these signs persist.
How Is Lymphedema Diagnosed?
Measuring the arm helps detect lymphedema. If possible, have the circumference (the distance around) of your arms measured before surgery
or radiation
to get a baseline
reading. Some facilities take baseline measurements before treatment and measure your arms regularly afterward. If there is a change in size, you can start treatment quickly.
Some techniques used to measure the volume and size of your arm include:
- Circumference measurements use a tape measure to look for swelling in the arm. This is the most common method. Your provider will measure your arms from your hand to the armpit at different places. These places will be the same every time your arms are measured.
- Any change in circumference of more than 2 centimeters, at any place in the affected arm, may suggest lymphedema.
- Bioimpedance passes low-dose
electricity through the arm to see if you have extra fluid on the side where you had cancer. The electricity is about the same as you would get during an EKG. For this test, a provider places electrodes on each wrist and your right foot. Cables are attached to each site for a few minutes. The test does not hurt. The resistance to the electricity will be different on the affected side if you have lymphedema.
- This test is available to people who do not have implanted metal, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator.
- Perometry passes infrared signals through your arm to measure the volume of fluid. This method uses a machine called a perometer. You will sit or stand beside it and stretch your arm over a table as a square frame passes over your arm. After measuring both arms, the perometer compares the volume of fluid in milliliters between your two arms.
- This test is best given before lymph node
surgery and every 3 months after. It is available at limited facilities and through research studies.
- This test is best given before lymph node
- Volumeter, or water displacement, is rarely used.
Some doctors use special x-rays to see lymph flow to diagnose lymphedema. Others look at the area on a CT or MRI scan
.
If you already started treatment, it helps to see a lymphedema therapist to talk about your personal risk. Some facilities will monitor your arm circumference for months to years after treatment. You can also monitor your arm size using a spring-loaded (not cloth) tape measure. To keep constant pressure, measure around your arm every 4 to 10 centimeters. If the circumference has increased by more than 2 centimeters, a lymphedema therapist should check your arm. If you see any signs or symptoms of lymphedema, contact your providers as soon as possible.
Where Can I Find Help for Lymphedema?
It is important to see a special therapist who can reduce the swelling and other lymphedema symptoms as well as teach you ongoing care. Your cancer care team can make a recommendation. Some things to know:
- The Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) certifies therapists in complete decongestive therapy using national standards. Therapists may also be certified by the program that trained them. Your healthcare provider
also may have suggestions.
- Certified providers are often physical therapists or occupational therapists (OTs), as well as nurses, doctors or massage therapists. When choosing lymphedema therapists, ask about their training.
- Insurance coverage of lymphedema treatment can vary. Be sure to verify whether their services are reimbursed by your health insurance plan.