Prevention and Management of Lymphedema in Patients with Breast Cancer

Women who have been treated for breast cancer may be at risk for Arm. Breast and chest swelling called lymphedema (limf-uh-dee-muh). Most women who have been undergone Mastectomy are less likely to develop this side effect. The risk of Lymphedema is higher for women who have undergone surgery and radiation therapy to treat Breast Cancer. Removing lymph nodes and vessels changes the way lymph flows in that side of the body. Radiation to the lymph nodes in the under arm can affect the flow of lymphatic fluid in the arm and the Breast area in the same way, further increasing the risk of Lymphedema.