Cancer Lymphoedema is often caused by cancer and treatments for cancer. Lymph nodes can be affected by cancer as they filter cancer cells from the lymph fluid. Radiotherapy Radiotherapy can also damage the lymphatic system and cause lymphoedema. Lack of movement Movement and exercise help lymph fluid to drain properly, because muscle activity surrounding the lymphatic vessels massages fluid along them.
Inflammation Medical conditions which cause the skin to become red and swollen can cause lymphoedema. Diseases of the veins Varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis can cause lymphoedema as they can affect the flow of blood in the veins, leading to fluid overflowing in the surrounding tissues.
Symptoms of lymphoedema Lymphoedema most commonly affects the arms or legs, but can also happen around the torso, head, neck and genitals. Symptoms of lymphoedema are similar to peripheral oedema above and include: swelling pain or discomfort a feeling of tightness or heaviness difficulty moving leaking of fluid from the skin lymphorroea thickening of the skin infections — lymphoedema means you have a higher risk of infection if you have a cut or scratch in your skin.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage — a specialist massage that encourages the fluid to drain away. This can be done by the patient themselves, their carer, someone in their support network or a health professional. Skin care — keeping the skin clean and moisturised. Any cuts or scratches should be cleaned with an antiseptic and covered with a plaster to reduce the risk of infection. Exercise — moving the body, even a little bit, helps the lymphatic fluid to drain away.
There may be other specialist treatments available in some areas. Supporting someone with lymphoedema There are things you can do to help encourage the fluid to drain: Help the patient to put on their compression garments — this can be tricky but there are special applicators available to help.
They might find a footstool comfortable. Help them to find the most comfortable positions to sit and lie in. Encourage gentle exercise. Massage can be helpful for managing lymphoedema. A lymphoedema specialist can teach you, family members and other caregivers, how to do it.
Try to identify when the patient is most affected by the symptom. For example, some patients may be more affected in the afternoon or evening than the morning. Look for stretched or broken skin and monitor it for redness and pain. Keep the affected areas moisturised. Look out for any signs of cellulitis, including if: the skin looks red the skin feels hot to touch the swelling has increased the patient feels pain around the swelling. Skin care for people with oedema and lymphoedema can include: washing the skin regularly with gentle soap and water drying the skin thoroughly after washing moisturising daily with emollients keeping the skin dry if there is any leakage of fluid lymphorroea.
Ascites Fluid build-up in the abdomen is known as ascites. Ascites can happen in different illnesses including: cancer, most commonly ovarian cancer heart failure kidney failure liver failure. Symptoms of ascites can include: pain or discomfort in the abdomen a swollen abdomen difficulty sitting upright nausea and vomiting loss of appetite acid reflux constipation breathlessness.
Treatment for ascites If you think your patient has ascites, tell a senior healthcare professional as soon as possible.
There are also ways you can help someone with ascites to be more comfortable: Help them find the most comfortable positions to sit and lie in. For example, being on their back with their upper body raised slightly, or on their side. Prevent pressure sores by helping with skin care. Support a patient if they want to move about, as walking can be difficult and tiring. The patient may need walking aids, and periods of exercise should be short with lots of rest in between.
Check if they are in pain and let their doctor or specialist nurse know if they need any more pain relief to be prescribed. Report any sudden swelling in any part of the body to the doctor straight away — this may be a sign of something more serious. Monitor for signs of infection, as fluid in the abdomen can become infected.
Signs of infection include redness around the area, a temperature, and the patient beginning to feel more unwell or in pain. Monitor the patient for signs of increasing breathlessness. Breathlessness can be caused by pressure from the swollen abdomen pressing on the lungs.
Or, it can be a sign that fluid is starting to enter the lung. If you notice this, tell a senior professional immediately. Download My Learning form.
Key points Oedema is the medical word for swelling due to a build-up of fluid. Peripheral oedema, lymphoedema and ascites are common in people living with a terminal illness.
Skin care, exercise and compression should be part of daily care for all patients with oedema and lymphoedema. Patients with lymphoedema may also benefit from regular massage of the affected area. Be aware of ascites, which causes abdominal swelling.
Speak to a GP, specialist nurse or district nurse if you are concerned about cellulitis. Let us know what you think Email your feedback to knowledgezone mariecurie. Did you find this page useful? Your feedback will help us improve our information and support resources. What were you looking for today? Was this page useful? Select an option Yes No I'm not sure. Please tell us why. What difference if any has this information made to you?
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Which country do you live in? Word verification. Disclaimer This information is not intended to replace any training, national or local guidelines, or advice from other health or social care professionals. It can be serious if it's not treated quickly. If you have lymphoedema, the build-up of fluid in your tissues makes you more vulnerable to infection. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deep layer of skin dermis that often affects people with lymphoedema.
Cellulitis can also sometimes cause lymphoedema. Antibiotics taken by mouth orally can usually be used to treat cellulitis, although severe cases may need to be treated in hospital with antibiotics given directly into a vein intravenously.
Living with a long-term condition that affects your appearance can cause a great deal of distress and lead to periods of depression. You may be depressed if you've been feeling down for the past few months and no longer find pleasure in things you usually enjoy. If this is the case, talk to a GP or a member of your lymphoedema treatment team. Effective treatments are available for depression. Talking to other people with lymphoedema can be reassuring and decrease feelings of isolation, stress and anxiety.
The Lymphoedema Support Network provides information and advice, and can put you in touch with a support group in your area. If you persevere with your treatment plan, your symptoms should eventually become less noticeable.
Page last reviewed: 25 November Next review due: 25 November Symptoms of lymphoedema The main symptom of lymphoedema is swelling in all or part of a limb or another part of the body. Other symptoms in an affected body part can include: an aching, heavy feeling difficulty with movement repeated skin infections hard, tight skin folds developing in the skin wart-like growths developing on the skin fluid leaking through the skin What causes lymphoedema?
There are 2 main types of lymphoedema: primary lymphoedema — caused by faulty genes that affect the development of the lymphatic system; it can develop at any age, but usually starts during infancy, adolescence, or early adulthood secondary lymphoedema — caused by damage to the lymphatic system or problems with the movement and drainage of fluid in the lymphatic system; it can be the result of a cancer treatment, an infection, injury, inflammation of the limb, or a lack of limb movement Read more about the causes of lymphoedema Who's affected Lymphoedema is thought to affect more than , people in the UK.
People who have treatment for melanoma in the lymph nodes in the groin can also get lymphoedema. Diagnosing lymphoedema See a GP if you experience the typical symptoms of lymphoedema, such as swelling in your arms and legs. Oedema is characterised by excess fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body, which can occur after trauma to an area of the body. Our therapists are trained to treat oedema. They can help with conservative techniques including gentle exercises to encourage movement without flaring up injured areas.
If you have any concerns about your lymphedema and oedema, please ask your therapist for appropriate assessment and treatment. Feel free to give us a call today! We are open and are taking all precautionary measures to ensure our communities' safety.
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