Lymphoedema
What is Lymphoedema?
Lymphoedema is a swelling caused by a build up of fluid in the tissues. This build up can be due to damage to the lymphatic system either due to cancer or cancer treatments. It can affect any part of the body but is most commonly seen in an arm or a leg.
What treatments are available?
It is essential that Lymphoedema is correctly diagnosed and appropriately assessed.
Assessment is carried out by a specially trained therapist in order to ascertain the actual cause of the swelling, as well as determining the overall size and extent of the swelling, which may alter the type of treatment offered.
Treatment is planned on an individual basis. There are two levels of treatment:
- Maintenance treatment: This tends to be for mild or uncomplicated lymphoedema. Treatment involves skincare, gentle exercise, compression garments and simple massage.
- Intensive treatment: This may be needed when swelling is severe or complicated. Treatment involves manual lymphatic drainage, specialized massage carried out by a trained therapist and multi-layer bandaging.
For more information on the treatment of Lymphoema of the arm, please click here to download an information leaflet.
