Lymphedema

Lymphedema is an unusual buildup of fluid that causes swelling, typically in the arms or legs. The condition, which can occur following cancer treatment, develops when lymph vessels or lymph nodes within the lymphatic system are damaged or removed. The University of Kansas Health System offers the region's only comprehensive, multidisciplinary lymphedema management program. Our dedicated care team is committed to supporting you and meeting your needs.

Lymphedema is abnormal swelling that can occur in the arms or legs. The swelling is caused by the disruption of the flow of normal lymph fluid within the lymph system, which is part of the immune system.

The most common cause of lymphedema is cancer treatment. It can occur when breast, gynecologic or other cancer surgery includes removal of lymph nodes or radiation therapy. Your risk of developing lymphedema is greatest within the first 3 years of your surgery, but your overall risk for lymphedema lasts a lifetime. An infection in the arm or leg can also increase the risk for developing lymphedema.

With early detection and intervention, it may be possible to prevent lymphedema or slow its progression.

We offer a variety of appointment types. Learn more or call 913-588-1227 to schedule now.

The earliest sign of lymphedema is a dull, heavy ache in the back of the arm from which lymph nodes were removed that lasts more than a day or 2. The ache is uncomfortable but not painful. These signs and symptoms don't always mean lymphedema and could be a result of treatment or healing but should always be checked out.

Other later symptoms of lymphedema may include: 

• Aching or pain in the arm
• Bra, clothing or jewelry that doesn’t fit as normal 
• Feeling of heaviness, fullness or tightness in the arm, chest or armpit area 
• Gradual increase in swelling, although it may first appear suddenly 
• Swelling in the hand
• Thickening of or changes in the skin 
• Trouble bending or moving a joint, such as the fingers, wrist, elbow or shoulder 
• Weakness and easy tiring of the arm

If cellulitis, or infection, occurs, it will appear red, hot, painful and swollen. An arm with lymphedema is at a higher risk for infection than an unaffected arm. If you notice any of these symptoms, have any concerns or you're not already seeing a lymphedema specialist, then you should notify your cancer surgeon right away. If infection symptoms occur, this is serious and may require a trip to the emergency room. Those at risk for development of lymphedema can have onsets related to injury of the arm. You should avoid any blood pressure cuffs, blood draws or IV needles, tattoos, cuts or scrapes to prevent the onset or worsening of lymphedema.

Your doctor may diagnose lymphedema based on your symptoms if you are already at risk due to recent cancer surgery or other surgery involving the lymph nodes. In other cases, your doctor may suggest imaging tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI to check for lymph system blockages or other signs of lymphedema.

Lymphedema screening is a quick and easy process that can help identify those people who are most at risk for lymphedema and ensure that any warning signs or symptoms of lymphedema can be caught and managed early.

We also are the first cancer center in greater Kansas City to have a tissue analysis tool for early diagnosis of lymphedema, or swelling, in cancer patients. This system sends a painless electrical current through the body of a patient to gather unique data immediately following a cancer diagnosis. Research has shown this system can diagnose lymphedema as much as 4-10 months earlier than other methods.

We treat primary and secondary lymphedema, general edema and offer the region’s only surgical lymphedema treatment program. Our team of board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeons is dedicated to supporting your care and meeting your needs.

Our doctors specialize in the newest and least invasive surgical techniques and also focus a great deal of research on early detection and prevention.  

Our certified lymphedema therapists, who have completed international training in cancer rehabilitation, will evaluate you and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. This may include:

Who develops lymphedema and why is poorly understood. We know that people who receive a combination of lymph node removal and radiation are at highest risk of developing lymphedema. We are involved in ongoing research to try and understand the process and how to best prevent it. Since there is no way to predict who will be affected by lymphedema, our prevention clinics closely monitor and assess all patients.

People who show early signs of lymphedema will be seen more frequently to ensure our interventions are working and they are not developing irreversible lymphedema. If caught early, we can reverse lymphedema in many cases.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center offers comprehensive cancer treatment, including treatment for lymphedema and the region’s only surgical lymphedema treatment program. Our lymphedema specialists are dedicated to ensuring you receive the highest quality care and most personalized treatment options available. These care teams work together to develop individual treatment plans for each person based on their needs and goals with input from a variety of specialists.

We are the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Kansas and 1 of fewer than 60 in the United States. Patients treated at NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers have a 25% greater chance of survival compared to other cancer centers. NCI-designated cancer centers are pioneers in cancer research, recognized for their scientific leadership, resources and depth of research in basic, clinical and population sciences. To maintain our NCI designation, we go through a rigorous, highly competitive process to demonstrate our contributions to reducing the cancer burden in our region and throughout Kansas and western Missouri.