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About Lymphedema

Lymphedema and Breast Cancer

Lymphedema is a condition that can cause significant swelling of the arm and hand due to excess lymph fluid building up. This can occur when the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining excess fluid, is damaged or altered by surgery and/or radiation therapy.

Women who have had surgery to remove lymph nodes and/or radiation therapy are at risk of developing lymphedema. If lymphedema is not diagnosed early or managed appropriately, it may become a long-term, irreversible condition affecting quality of life and appearance.

It is estimated that 6 percent to 40 percent of patients with breast cancer develop lymphedema, and that it often occurs within the first two years after surgery. For some cancer survivors and others at risk, a low level lymphedema can occur 10 years to 15 years following the initial primary treatment and develop into a condition that has a serious impact on overall health and quality of life.

Today, most lymphedema is not diagnosed until swelling is visually apparent. By this point, changes within the arm caused by stagnant, protein rich extra-cellular fluid have already begun. Emerging new solutions now demonstrate that early assessment, diagnosis and intervention may help prevent progression and protect a woman's quality of life.

 

Early Detection and Treatment are Key

Scientists don't yet fully understand why some women develop lymphedema while others don't. It is known that earlier detection of lymphedema allows earlier treatment and a better chance of a return to normal function, activities and appearance.

A new FDA-cleared, technology called bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) allows a medical provider to clinically assess and treat the onset of lymphedema earlier. BIS can detect increased fluid levels before visible swelling. Having a baseline test performed before breast cancer treatment begins allows the medical team to better understand what is 'normal' in that patient. It is then easier to detect any lymphedema very early in its development. Earlier treatment of lymphedema often means a better quality of life.

New data from a five year study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) demonstrate that it is possible to prevent the progression of lymphedema in patients at risk.1 Pre-surgical baselines establish what is 'normal' for the patient in terms of fluid levels in their arms. Periodic post-operative clinical assessment can detect significant changes from pre-surgical levels. An off-the-shelf compression garment has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention. In the NIH study, all women diagnosed with subclinical lymphedema, before visible swelling, returned to their pre-surgical baseline arm volume after approximately a month.

(1) Gergich, et al. Cancer, Vol 112, No 2, June 2008, pp 2809-2819

 

Information and Resources on Lymphedema