A possible complication of breast cancer surgery is the development of lymphedema--the accumulation of lymph fluid in the arm on the affected side of the body. This occurs because many breast cancer surgeries involve removing lymph nodes, which help circulate lymphatic fluid. Without the lymph nodes, the flow of lymph fluid is disrupted and fluid accumulates in the arm. Lymphedema can develop soon after surgery, months or years after surgery, or not at all. Patients with lymphedema experience arm and hand swelling on the affected side, which may cause pain and joint stiffness. There are a number of treatments for lymphedema following breast cancer surgery.
Exercise
Light exercise after breast cancer surgery can help alleviate a number of adverse side effects of surgery, including lymphedema. Often, patients after breast cancer surgery will be given a list of hand and arm exercises designed to facilitate healing after surgery, which can help stimulate lymph fluid circulation. After healing from surgery, the National Cancer Institute reports that light aerobic exercise can help stimulate lymph fluid circulation and relieve arm swelling as a result of lymphedema. Regular exercise also plays a role in weight loss in overweight patients, which also helps relieve lymphedema.
Bandages
Bandaging the affected arm can also help treat lymphedema. Fluid accumulation in the affected arm occurs because there is not enough force pushing lymph fluid back out of the arm. Bandages work by putting pressure on the arm, and therefore helping to push excess lymph fluid back out of the arm and stimulating lymph fluid circulation.
Bandages for lymphedema are custom fitted to the arm, and proper fit of the bandages is important for treating lymphedema in breast cancer patients, reports Cancer Supportive Care Programs. A bandage that is too tight can trap fluid in the arm, or constrict the tissue to cut off blood supply. Patients should consult their doctor to lean how to correctly put on the bandage.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy treatments designed to improve lymph fluid circulation can also be used to treat lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Massage therapy for lymphedema involves massaging the soft tissue and pushing lymph fluid into regions of the body with working lymph nodes, reducing the buildup of fluid in the arm.
The University of Minnesota warns that massage therapy may not be suitable for all breast cancer patients with lymphedema. Massage therapy should not be used in patients who have remaining cancerous tissue in the area with lymphedema, in patients with blood clots, inflammation or cellulitis in the affected limb, or patients with congestive heart failure. Patients interested in massage therapy for lymphedema should consult with their doctor before starting massage treatment.
