Preventing Lymphedema

The best strategy for treating lymphedema after cancer treatment is prevention education.

In particular, patients should learn how to care for and protect the skin to reduce the risk of infection. The lymphatic system is compromised by treatment, making patients more susceptible to infection in the region of the body close to the damaged lymph nodes. For most patients with gynecologic or colorectal cancer, this includes both legs and the lower abdomen and genital region. For patients treated for melanoma on one leg, that leg and the lower abdomen on that side are at risk for swelling.

Keeping the skin meticulously clean, free of injury and healthy with moisturizing and protection can reduce the risk of cellulitis which, for some patients, may be trigger swelling or increase swelling.

The signs and symptoms of cellulitis include a hot, red, painful, swollen area of skin in the “at risk” region. Many patients developing cellulitis also have a fever or feeling that they are becoming ill. These symptoms require emergency treatment as cellulitis can spread rapidly, causing significant illness and swelling of the limb.

The best advice is to seek medical attention immediately.

While lymphedema cannot be prevented as doctors are unable to predict with certainty who will develop lymphedema after cancer treatment, the best approach is for patients to be well educated about its signs and symptoms, practice risk reduction and find effective treatment early if symptoms of lymphedema appear.

Research at Penn Medicine in breast cancer-related lymphedema has shown that a healthy lifestyle emphasizing weight management and progressive exercise can be beneficial for patients at risk for lymphedema and those who have been diagnosed with lymphedema.

More research is required to determine if these same guidelines can be proven for patients with leg lymphedema.