Lymphedema

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Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Diagnosis and Tests
• Prevention and Risk Factors
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Living With
• Related Issues
• Specifics
• Genetics

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Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Reference Desk
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• Patient Handouts

Summary

Lymphedema is the name of a type of swelling. It happens when lymph builds up in your body's soft tissues. Lymph is a fluid that contains white blood cells that defend against germs. It can build up when the lymph system is damaged or blocked. It usually happens in the arms or legs.

Causes of lymphedema include

• Infection
• Cancer
• Scar tissue from radiation therapy or surgical removal of lymph nodes
• Inherited conditions in which lymph nodes or vessels are absent or abnormal

Treatment can help control symptoms. It includes exercise, compression devices, skin care, and massage.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Start Here

• Guide to Understanding Lymphedema (Living Beyond Breast Cancer) - PDF
• Lymphedema (Lymphatic Education & Research Network)
• Lymphedema (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Lymphedema (PDQ) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Lymphoscintigraphy (American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Lymphedema Risk Reduction Practices (National Lymphedema Network)

Treatments and Therapies

• Treatment of Lymphedema (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish

Living With

• For People With Lymphedema (American Cancer Society)

Related Issues

• Infection and Other Complications (National Lymphedema Network)
• Lymphatic Filariasis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Tips for Travel and Aircraft Flight (National Lymphedema Network)

Specifics

• Lymphedema as a Cancer Treatment Side Effect (American Society of Clinical Oncology)

Genetics

• Genetics Home Reference: Hennekam syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
• Genetics Home Reference: lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
• Genetics Home Reference: Meige disease (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Lymphedema (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Breast Cancer Survivorship: Patient Characteristics and Plans for High-Quality Care.
• Article: How much will it cost to eradicate lymphatic filariasis? An...
• Article: Diagnosis of Upper Quadrant Lymphedema Secondary to Cancer: Clinical Practice...
• Lymphedema -- see more articles

Reference Desk

• What Is the Lymphatic System? (National Lymphedema Network)

Find an Expert

• Lymphatic Education & Research Network
• National Cancer Institute Also in Spanish
• National Lymphedema Network

Women

• Lymphedema (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

• Compression stockings (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Lymphatic obstruction (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Lymphedema (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish