Lymphoedema is a long-term swelling caused by poor drainage of excess fluid. It can appear on the arm or elsewhere on the same side as the breast treated for cancer and can occur any time – even years – after surgery or radiotherapy.
The more lymph nodes you have removed as part of your breast cancer treatment, the more likely you are to develop lymphoedema.
For most people, the symptoms are mild. However, some people experience discomfort or pain. The skin on your arm may become dry and tight and your arm may feel heavy, restricting its mobility.
After your breast operation, your arm may swell for a short time and then go down. This isn’t really lymphoedema.
If you have swelling on the same side as you had your surgery or feel pain, see your doctor or breast care nurse.
Although lymphoedema can't yet be cured, there are exercises and specialist massages which can help reduce the swelling and you’ll find more about these at The Lymphoedema Support Network’s website.
