Perhaps the first thing you notice is that you can’t grip the steering wheel properly. Your fingers feel … and look … pudgy and your rings are uncomfortably tight. You’ve heard about lymphedema, but it’s been six years since your cancer treatment, so surely lymphedema couldn’t be starting at this late date. Could it?

In fact, it could. Lymphedema – the accumulation of lymph fluid, typically in one or more limbs – can occur immediately after cancer treatment that involves lymph node removal, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, or years afterward. Breast cancer treatment is most often implicated in lymphedema of the hand or arm. Gynecological or prostate cancer treatment can set the stage for lymphedema of the feet, ankles, or legs. Sometimes lymphedema can be caused by inherited abnormalities, and not by cancer treatment at all. “In any case,” says Rick Adrid, MPT, Certified Lymphedema Therapist at Doylestown Hospital, “successfully managing lymphedema is important for both your good health and your comfort.”

Lymph nodes do the filtering
Lymph is a clear fluid that travels throughout the body by means of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes located along the way filter this fluid to remove harmful substances and activate the immune system to fight disease. During cancer surgery, the surgeon frequently removes nearby lymph nodes to find out whether these ‘filters’ have captured cancer cells that have migrated from the primary tumor. Although this is necessary to determine the most effective treatment for a particular patient, removing lymph nodes does obstruct the circulation of lymph. Chemotherapy and radiation can further damage the lymphatic system in that area. If this damage exceeds the body’s ability to move the lymph along through other lymph vessels, fluid can accumulate and cause the swelling and puffiness associated with lymphedema.

Take care to avoid infection
“You shouldn’t ignore lymphedema,” Rick emphasizes. “That’s because the protein-rich fluid that builds up in an arm, for example, is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to infection.” And that’s why physicians tell their patients who have or are at risk for lymphedema to avoid having the skin on the affected arm pierced for injections or blood tests. It’s also why you should wear gloves in the garden to protect against cuts or insect bites, and offer only the unaffected armfor blood pressure readings to avoid excessive pressure on an already taxed lymphatic system.

“Education is key,” states Rick. “The more you know about lymphedema, the better you’ll be able to manage your condition.” To help with this effort, Doylestown Hospital’s Physical Therapy Department offers a program to help people with lymphedema reduce discomfort and swelling, prevent complications, and become more proficient in managing their condition. If you or a family member would like to learn more, call 215-345-2892.