All what you Need to know about Lymphoedema and Breast Surgery

Diagnosed with breast cancer and wondering about lymphedema and breast cancer surgery? Well, women who undergo breast cancer surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy) have got to remove some of their lymph nodes from their underarms. On removing the lymph nodes at the time of breast surgery (via axillary dissection or sentinel node biopsy) or treatment with radiation therapy, certain lymph vessels get blocked. It further prevents lymph fluid to leave the tissue below the surgical site. This also leads to swelling or edema in the target area.

Besides underarm, lymphedema may also occur in your chest/breast, fingers, hand, or back. The inflammation may be barely felt or seen. Or it may get so large that your arm or affected area starts to appear larger than normal. In worse cases, lymphedema can even lead to pain and movement restrictions. With one arm larger than the other, people may start feeling upset about their asymmetric form.

 

Who are at risk of getting lymphedema?

This condition is related to radiation therapy and axillary lymph nodes. However, it’s still not clear why some people get lymphedema and some don’t.

Here are certain factors that increase the risk of lymphedema in certain people:

• Radiation therapy at the axillary lymph node area
• Removal of axillary lymph nodes (the larger the number of nodes removed, the higher the risk)
• Being obese or overweight
• Having a large number of axillary lymph nodes that may have cancer
• Infections in the target area of breast surgery
• Radiation therapy and removal of lymph nodes at the axillary lymph node area

How frequently does lymphedema occurs?

Many people today are treated with breast cancer and don’t get the risk of lymphedema. It is because modern surgery removes only fewer axillary lymph nodes compared to conventional surgical techniques.

However, it is best to ask your surgeon about the lymphedema and breast surgery Fort Smith before going for the treatment. It will ensure there is a lesser risk of developing such unwanted conditions after the treatment.

When can lymphedema occur?

Lymphedema may occur within three years of breast surgery. Nonetheless, it may even occur after many years.

If lymphedema occurs soon after breast surgery Fort Smith, it would last only for a short duration and go away over time.

Lymphedema and breast surgery – Signs and Symptoms

• Here are some common signs and symptoms of lymphedema:
• Pain or redness in hand or arm
• Inflammation in the arm or hand (for instance, your watch or rings feel tighter)
• Feeling of tightness or thickening in your skin
• Feeling of heaviness, tightness, or fullness in the arm, chest/breast, hand, or back chest/breast or back

Whenever you notice any such signs or symptoms, immediately consult your healthcare provider for help.

In many cases, it is easier to manage lymphedema. But its signs and symptoms do not often go away completely. When you catch any of its signs or symptom, ask your doctor for treatment to reduce them and prevent them from getting to a worse state.

Screening and diagnosis

Most commonly doctors check for the signs of lymphedema by measuring lower and upper arm widths. The measurement must be taken soon before the surgical procedure to compare the measures taken after surgery.

Some other screening techniques include bioimpedance, perometers, water displacement, asking a person about symptoms, taking pictures, and special lymph node imaging called lymphoscintigraphy.

According to some surgeries, if you monitor for this condition within the first three months after breast surgery, you can early diagnose the condition.

Treatment for lymphedema

In many cases, lymphedema does not go away completely. But the treatment may reduce swelling and pain in the affected area. It will also improve its movement.

The standard lymphedema treatment consists of complex decongestive therapy. Generally, this approach aims to reduce swelling and infection via a combination of:

• Exercises (opening and closing a fist)
• Skin and nail care
• Physical therapy
• Compression bandages or sleeves
• Manual lymphatic drainage

Typically, complex decongestive therapy is given within 15 to 30 sessions over four to six weeks. Later, you can continue with the rest of the therapies suggested by your doctor.

Some other treatments may include

• Compression device (a pump attached to a sleeve for inflating and deflating to apply some pressure on the arm)
• Exercises
• Weight loss
• Surgery

Before you begin any of these therapies it’s best to discuss them with a doctor, as well as gain more knowledge on treatments for lymphedema and breast surgery Northwest Arkansas NWA.

Your healthcare provider can suggest the best therapy as per your condition. So, consulting a specialist is the best way to find an effective treatment.

Conclusion

Many people are still not aware that lymphedema is a potential side effect of breast cancer treatment. However, it may be a lifelong concern if it forms. So, do take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of lymphedema development. However, if you have any signs or symptoms, do consult your breast cancer surgeon for further treatment of lymphedema Northwest Arkansas NWA.