Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects 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.

Breast cancer treatment side effects lymphedema.

Sometimes a cancerous tumor can get big enough to block the lymph system. Breast cancer treatments that can cause lymphedema are. Removing lymph nodes under the arm means there are fewer nodes to filter the lymph. Lymphedema is a common chronic debilitating condition in which excess fluid called lymph collects in tissues and causes swelling in them.

Lymphedema that is not controlled may cause. This can cause the fluid to build up in surrounding tissues. The risk grows with the number of lymph nodes affected. Some of the symptoms include achiness and feelings of fullness or heaviness in the hand arm chest breast or underarm areas.

Lymphedema is a common side effect of some cancer treatments including surgery or radiation therapy. Lymphedema can be caused by cancer or by cancer treatment. Radiation therapy to the lymph node areas after lymph node removal surgery can increase the risk of arm lymphedema. Learn more about lymphedema.

Lymphoedema is swelling caused by a build up of fluid in the body s tissues. Surgery that removes lymph nodes. 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. 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.

It is common after a mastectomy lumpectomy or breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy. 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. A small amount of swelling even in your arm is normal for the first 4 to 6 weeks after breast cancer surgery.