Lymphedema is a swelling of a limb, usually the arm, but it can affect the shoulder, neck hand and fingers or breast and trunk area. Lymphedema occurs because lymph nodes that have been removed from the axillary area (the armpit) (during a lumpectomy or mastectomy have caused the lymphatic system to become unbalanced. In effect, lymphedema is a plumbing problem¯more fluid is coming into the arm than can leave the arm. So the fluid builds up in the soft tissues of the affected area. This is why the arm swells with fluid. |
