Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects Lymphedema

Lymphoedema is swelling caused by a build up of fluid in the body s tissues.

Breast cancer treatment side effects lymphedema. The risk grows with the number of lymph nodes affected. Some people develop lymphoedema after treatment for breast cancer. Lymphedema that is not controlled may cause. 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. The swelling commonly affects the arm and can include the hand and fingers. Radiation therapy to the lymph node areas after lymph node removal surgery can increase the risk of arm lymphedema. 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.

Lymphedema is a potential side effect of breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy that can appear in some people during the months or even years after treatment ends. Lymphedema is a common side effect of some cancer treatments including surgery or radiation therapy. Learn more about lymphedema. 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. Swelling can also affect the breast chest shoulder or the area on the back behind the armpit. Surgery to remove cancer may also remove lymph nodes or some of the vessels that carry the lymph fluid. A small amount of swelling even in your arm is normal for the first 4 to 6 weeks after breast cancer surgery.

It is common after a mastectomy lumpectomy or breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy. This can cause the fluid to build up in surrounding tissues. Breast cancer treatments that can cause lymphedema are. 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.