About lymphoedema

Lymphoedema is swelling (oedema) that develops when lymph fluid builds up in the tissues under the skin or sometimes deeper in the abdomen (belly) and chest areas.

Learn more about:

• What is lymphoedema?
• The lymphatic system
• When does lymphoedema develop?
• What are the risk factors?
• How common is lymphoedema?

What is lymphoedema?

Lymphoedema occurs when the lymphatic system is not working properly. It usually occurs in an arm or leg, but can also affect other parts of the body, such as the neck.

Learn about the lymphatic system.

Lymphoedema can be either primary (when the lymphatic system has not developed properly) or secondary (when the lymphatic system is damaged). This fact sheet is only about secondary lymphoedema following treatment for cancer.

The lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It helps to protect the body from disease, get rid of waste, and drain fluid. It is a network of lymph nodes, lymph vessels and lymph fluid.

White blood cells called lymphocytes are produced by lymph nodes. Lymphocytes are also produced by lymph tissue found in other parts of the body, including the spleen, bone marrow, thymus and tonsils. Lymphocytes help to protect the body against disease and infection.

The lymphatic system consists of:

Lymph vessels – a large network of thin tubes found throughout the body. Lymph vessels carry lymph fluid from the tissues and organs to the lymph nodes.

Lymph fluid – a clear, watery fluid that delivers nutrients throughout the body and takes away viruses, bacteria, abnormal cells and cell debris.

Lymph nodes – are located throughout body, but are found in clusters in the neck, underarms, chest, groin, abdomen (belly) and knees. Lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid as it passes into the bloodstream.

The lymphatic system

When does lymphoedema develop?

Cancer or cancer treatment can damage or block the lymphatic system. When this occurs, lymph fluid doesn’t drain as it should and instead builds up in the tissues. This causes swelling.

Lymphoedema can affect people at any time – during active cancer treatment, after treatment or in remission (when the signs and symptoms of cancer reduce or disappear). Lymphoedema can occur months or years after cancer treatment. It can also develop while you’re living with advanced cancer or receiving palliative treatment. It usually develops very slowly.

What are the risk factors?

Whether or not you develop lymphoedema after treatment for cancer depends on the location of the cancer, its stage and the type of treatment. While the risk is ongoing, most people who are at risk never develop lymphoedema.

Some risk factors for lymphoedema include:

• surgery to remove lymph nodes – the more nodes removed, the greater the risk
• radiation therapy
• taxane-based chemotherapy drugs
• an infection in the at-risk limb
• carrying extra body weight (overweight or obesity)
• injury to the lymphatic system (e.g. a tumour growing near a lymph node or vessel)
• underlying primary lymphoedema
• inflammatory disorders such as arthritis
• not being able to move around easily.

Learn ways to reduce your risk of lymphoedema.

How common is lymphoedema?

Lymphoedema can occur after treatment for many different cancers (see below). There are few statistics about how common lymphoedema is after cancer treatment, and the incidence differs for each cancer type. One study estimated that lymphoedema occurs in about 20% of people treated for cancers of the vulva, vagina, ovary, uterus, cervix, breast, prostate, or melanoma.

→ READ MORE: Early signs of lymphoedema