What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a condition that can cause significant swelling of the arm and hand due to excess lymph building up. This
can occur when the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining excess fluid, is damaged or altered by surgery and/or
radiation therapy. Note: some post-operative swelling in the upper arm is normal but should go away after one month.
How Common is Lymphedema?
The data on how commonly lymphedema occurs varies widely. Current estimates indicate that between 4–49%1 of patients
with breast cancer develop lymphedema. In some women, lymphedema can occur within the first two years after surgery.
For others, it can take up to 10–15 years for lymphedema to develop2.
2. Mortimer P.S. et al. (1996), Q J Med 89, 377–380
Who is at Risk of Developing Lymphedema?
Women who have had surgery to remove lymph nodes and/or radiation therapy are at risk of developing lymphedema.
When lymphedema is not diagnosed early and managed properly, it may become a long-term, irreversible condition
affecting quality of life and appearance.
What are the Symptoms?
Some of the early signs and symptoms of lymphedema include:
• Rings, bracelets, clothing or a watch band beginning to feel tighter than normal.
• A feeling of heaviness or fullness in your arm.
• When pressed with a finger, an indentation in your arm that takes a while to go away.
Can Lymphedema be Prevented?
Scientists don’t yet fully understand why some women develop lymphedema while others don’t. It is known that
earlier treatment gives a better chance of a return to normal function, activities and appearance. Having a baseline
clinical assessment before breast cancer treatment begins allows your medical team to better understand what is
‘normal’ for you. It is then easier to detect any lymphedema very early in its development.
How is Lymphedema Measured Today?
Unfortunately, most lymphedema is not detected until the arm has become visibly swollen. By this time, in some
cases, the condition is irreversible. Once diagnosed, lymphedema is monitored during therapy by either a tape
measure or other devices which estimate the total volume of the arm. However, the good news is that there is
new, cleared, technology called L-Dex which aids a medical provider to clinically assess for changes in the extracellular
fluid (ECF) between the arms. ECF changes are associated with the first signs of lymphedema.
Low frequency impedance can aid clinicians to clinically assess for increased fluid levels.
The test is simple and painless.
3. Cornish B.H. et al. (2001), Lymphology 34, 2–11
4. Hayes S. et al. (2005), Breast Cancer Res Treat. Feb; 89 (3):221–6
5. Czerniec S. et al. (2006), 7th National Lymphedema Network conference, USA
What is Low Frequency Impedance?
Low frequency impedance aids in the clinical assessment of extracellular fluid increase or decrease in the arm. Extracellular fluid increase may
aid a heathcare professional to clinically assess for the early ECF changes in lymphedema. The increase is measured by passing a very low,
harmless, electrical signal through the body. There is no danger or pain from this process – the electrical signal is
about the same strength as that of a watch battery.
• The amount of fluid in the arm
• increases as lymphedema develops.
• Increased fluid means that the
• electrical signal can pass through
• the body more easily.
Studies have shown that low frequency impedance is able to aid healthcare providers in clinically assessing
a patient for extracellular fluid differences earlier than other methods3.
How Is Lymphedema Treated?
Lymphedema cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Early intervention has been shown to be effective and important.6
Speak with your medical provider about treatments. Examples of treatments are:
• Massage and Manual Lymphatic Draining (MLD): This is intensive massage based on creating spaces in the tissues
• and then massaging fluid into these spaces and away from the limb. Therapy may need to continue for some weeks
• until the decrease in swelling is satisfactory.
• Compression hosiery: Compression hosiery is crucial to maintaining the benefits produced from massage.
• Graduated high compression hosiery will prevent swelling reaccumulating once it has been reduced by massage.
• Bandaging is frequently used when swelling is severe. A combination of bandaging and massage can reduce limb
• size and then compression hosiery is applied.
• Skin care and control of infection: It is important to keep the skin in good condition.
• Regular hygiene and moisturizing are essential. It is important to take a minor wound seriously and not allow it
• to become a more severe problem.
• • Lymphedema, Cancer , Vol 112, Issue 12, pp 2809–2819.