The lymph system helps your body fight illness. Lymph fluid travels throughout the body in lymph nodes and vessels. The fluid builds up if these nodes or vessels are blocked, damaged, or missing. Fluid build-up in the arms or legs is called lymphedema. There are two types of lymphedema:
• Primary lymphedema is uncommon and occurs because people are either born without lymph nodes and vessels or they do not work properly.
• Secondary lymphedema occurs when there is injury to the lymph nodes or vessels or there is blockage by infection or tumors.

• Primary lymphedema
  • Being born without lymph vessels and nodes or with poorly functioning ones
  • Milroy’s disease
  • Meige disease
  • Late-onset lymphedema

• Secondary lymphedema
  • Surgery for cancer
  • Radiation treatment for cancer
  • Burns
  • Liposuction
  • Surgery on blood vessels
  • Infection
  • Trauma

• Surgery that removed lymph nodes such as breast cancer surgery
• Radiation treatment
• Cancer
• Infection
• Parasites — tropical/subtropical regions
• Overweight
• Poor diet
• Older age

• Swelling in arms, legs, fingers, or toes
• Loss of range of motion
• Infection
• Aching, pain, or discomfort
• Heaviness or tightness of the skin
• Clothes, shoes, or jewelry that feel too tight
• Hardening of the skin
• Redness of the skin

• MRI scan
• CT scan
• Duplex ultrasound or Doppler ultrasound

• Measurement of your arms and/or legs—to assess the severity of fluid build-up
• Lymphoscintigraphy—a test that uses dye to trace the travel of fluid through your lymph system

Drainage

Compression

Therapeutic Exercise

• Do not allow anyone to take blood or blood pressure on your affected arm or leg.
• Wear a medical bracelet warning of your risk for developing lymphedema.
• Avoid crossing your legs or carrying items on your shoulder if either area is at risk.
• Maintain a healthy weight and eat properly.
• Avoid ice packs or heating pads to the affected area.
• If you had lymph nodes in your armpit removed during breast cancer surgery, participating in a physical therapy program may help to prevent lymphedema.

• Keep your affected arm or leg clean.
• Keep hands and feet protected by wearing gloves and shoes.
• Use an electric razor to shave.
• Use sunscreen when outdoors.

• National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov

• National Lymphedema Network

http://www.lymphnet.org

• Canadian Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.ca

• Lymphedema Association of Quebec

http://www.infolympho.ca

• Lymphedema. National Cancer Institute website. Available at:  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/lymphedema/patient Updated March 6, 2013. Accessed May 16, 2013.
• Lymphedema. Society for Vascular Surgery website. Available at:  http://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/Pages/lymphedema.aspx Updated December 2011. Accessed May 16, 2013.
• What is lymphedema? The National Lymphedema Network website. Available at:  http://www.lymphnet.org/lymphedemaFAQs/overview.htm Accessed May 16, 2013.
• 1/22/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance  http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Torres Lacomba M, Yuste Sánchez MJ, Zapico Goñi A, et al. Effectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer: randomised, single blinded, clinical trial. BMJ. 2010;340:b5396.