Lymphedema Can Be Prevented If Caught Early!

During a mastectomy or lumpectomy, your surgeon may choose to remove lymph nodes in your armpit in order to make sure there are no residual cancer cells and to reduce the chance of breast cancer recurring. As a result, lymphedema—a chronic swelling that can occur after surgical removal of lymph nodes— can be a common side effect of breast cancer surgery.  Let’s start with the basics. What exactly are lymph nodes? What is your lymphatic system and why do you need it? Lymph nodes are small organs filled with lymph–a colorless fluid made up of white blood cells. You have lymph nodes in your neck, armpit, chest, belly, and even your groin. Lymph circulates between these lymph nodes and throughout your entire body via the lymphatic system, which works to filter out toxins in your body to fight infection. If your lymphatic system isn’t working right, your body can’t fight infections. And if you have lymph nodes removed in surgery, such as breast cancer surgery, it can impact your lymphatic system in the form of lymphedema. Lymphedema is characterized by the buildup of lymphatic fluid that causes painful and sometimes debilitating swelling in the affected limb. The main symptom of...