Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects Lymphedema

Learn more about lymphedema.

Breast cancer treatment side effects lymphedema.

Lymphedema that is not controlled may cause. Lymphedema is a common side effect of some cancer treatments including surgery or radiation therapy. Some people develop lymphoedema after treatment for breast cancer. Swelling can also affect the breast chest shoulder or the area on the back behind the armpit.

Lymphoedema is swelling caused by a build up of fluid in the body s tissues. More swelling weakness and difficulty moving your arm or leg itchy red warm skin and sometimes a rash wounds that don t heal and an increased risk of skin infections that may cause pain redness and swelling thickening or hardening of the skin. Sometimes a cancerous tumor can get big enough to block the lymph system. This can cause the fluid to build up in surrounding tissues.

Surgery that removes lymph nodes. Lymphedema is a common chronic debilitating condition in which excess fluid called lymph collects in tissues and causes swelling in them. Surgery to remove cancer may also remove lymph nodes or some of the vessels that carry the lymph fluid. The resulting blockage prevents fluid from draining sufficiently causing it to collect in the fatty tissue under the skin most often in the arms and or legs.

Lymphedema can be caused by cancer or by cancer treatment. Some women may also have redness or pain in the arm which may be a symptom of. A small amount of swelling even in your arm is normal for the first 4 to 6 weeks after breast cancer surgery. Removing lymph nodes under the arm means there are fewer nodes to filter the lymph.

Radiation therapy to the lymph node areas after lymph node removal surgery can increase the risk of arm lymphedema. Breast cancer treatments that can cause lymphedema are. The swelling commonly affects the arm and can include the hand and fingers. Some of the symptoms include achiness and feelings of fullness or heaviness in the hand arm chest breast or underarm areas.