swelling and cancer
Care, comfort, counsel. when you need it.
Cancer ushers in change on many fronts. You and your lymphatics are going through a lot. We’re here with therapy and advice along the way. Acute, short-term swelling and its symptoms, or the beginnings lymphedema, may appear at any point.
Lymph node biopsy and removal in the investigative stage, as well as curative surgeries later on injure lymphatics. Lymph vessels and nodes are particularly sensitive to effects from radiation (and chemo to a lesser degree) which impacts their ability to self-repair.
Just as cancer treatment plans are unique to your needs, we adapt pain and swelling care to your changing needs across the months of cancer therapy and recovery. While our techniques, supports and timing adjust, the benefits of care remain the same:
- lower pain
- reduce and control swelling
- slow lymphedema progress (sometimes reverse it in the earliest stage)
- ease the look and feel of scars
- regain and build range of motion and endurance
- bolster lymphatic function
- encourage return of sensation
- help you feel like you again
out on a limb with axillary cording
Axillary cording is a side effect of breast cancer surgeries that makes stretching and raising your arm painful. It can be healed fairly quickly with MLD therapy.
Lymphatic therapy supports during and after cancer
Post-cancer lymphedema: the stats
Not everyone who has cancer will develop chronic swelling. In fact, the majority won’t. Research is inconsistent across cancer types and secondary lymphedema itself is generally under reported – but it's understood lymphedema is more likely when lymphatic damage involves the lower half of the body. In addition, head and neck cancers carry a high frequency of swelling (up to 70% of the time). With breast cancer, 20-40% will experience lymphedema. For genitourinary cancers (genital and urinary organs) the incidence is 10%; with melanomas and sarcomas it is 17%. And 20% of those with gynecologic cancers encounter lymphedema. Awareness and consistent care is always beneficial.
LYMPHEDEMA CAN TAKE time making ITSELF KNOWN
In stage 0 (latent/early) lymphedema, lymphatic changes are underway but not yet evident. And there's no swelling. The only inkling may be a fleeting heaviness in your limb or affected area. This stage lasts weeks, months or years after damage occurs. A genetic predisposition and concurrent health issues like overweight or obesity, high blood pressure and chronic venous insufficiency are considerations as well.