Lymphoedema is the swelling (oedema) that develops when lymph fluid builds up in the tissues of part of the body, such as an arm, breast or the chest wall. When lymph nodes have been damaged or removed, lymph fluid may not be able to drain properly and builds up in the tissues.
| What causes lymphoedema? | Some breast cancer treatments may cause lymphoedema (e.g. surgery to remove lymph nodes and radiation therapy to the armpit). |
| When can lymphoedema occur? | Lymphoedema can affect people at any time – during treatment or months or even years afterwards. Regular screening check-ups may be recommended for some people, so ask your treatment team if this is an option for you. |
| Signs and symptoms of lymphoedema |
Signs of lymphoedema in your arm to look for include:
These signs may begin gradually or come and go. |
| Managing infection in lymphoedema | Some people experience pain, redness or fever, which can be caused by an infection called cellulitis in the area with lymphoedema. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. Lymphoedema is easier to manage when diagnosed and treated early. If you have lymphoedema, you can ask your doctor to refer you to a physiotherapist or lymphoedema practitioner. If you live in a rural or regional area, you may need to travel to visit a lymphoedema practitioner. Some clinics provide telehealth consultations. |
Learn more about lymphoedema.
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A/Prof Cindy Mak, Breast Surgeon and Director of Breast Services, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW; A/Prof Nick Murray, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital and GenesisCare Adelaide, SA; Caroline Bennett, Consumer; Tamara Casey, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Breast Assessment Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; A/Prof Joe Dusseldorp, Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Lauren Lores, Consumer; Dr Linda Madigan, Breast Physician, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Catherine Meredith, Consumer; Ash Mondolo, Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant, Mater Private Hospital, QLD; Chris Rivett, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Catrina Ross, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW; Prof Christobel Saunders AO, James Stewart Chair of Surgery and Director of Research, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, VIC; Dr Janice Yeh, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Yvonne Zissiadis, Radiation Oncologist, Medical Director, GenesisCare WA and Adjunct A/Prof, Curtin University, WA.
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