Español
PDFs by language
Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
Chat live online
Select the Live Chat button at the bottom of the page
Call us at 1-800-227-2345
Available any time of day or night
Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Lymphedema is a build-up of lymph fluid in the fatty tissues just under your skin that causes swelling (edema). Lymph fluid travels throughout the body and is part of the lymph or lymphatic system. Certain cancers and cancer treatments can increase your risk for developing lymphedema.
The lymph (or lymphatic) system is part of your body's immune system. It helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body, transports immune cells and nutrients, and filters out germs and waste.
In some ways, the lymphatic system works like the cardiovascular system. Both systems transport fluid (blood or lymph) through vessels throughout the body.
But the cardiovascular system has a powerful pump (the heart) to move blood through the body. The lymph system doesn’t have a pump. Instead, it relies on lymph nodes and the movement of muscles to keep fluid moving. This is why the lymph system is more likely to have poor drainage in some places, especially if lymph nodes are damaged or removed.
Lymphedema can occur when the lymph system is damaged, which can prevent the lymph fluid from moving through the body.
Any cancer that affects the lymph system can cause lymphedema. But it’s most common in certain cancers including:
The risk for lymphedema is higher in these cancers because they often require surgery or radiation that involves lymph nodes.
Some surgeries to treat cancer (for example, most breast cancer surgeries) include removing one or more lymph nodes. Removing lymph nodes is like closing lanes on a highway. Cars can’t get through as easily and traffic slows down. Lymph fluid – like the cars – starts to back up and causes swelling in the body parts that those lymph nodes drain fluid from.
Surgery for breast cancer often involves removing lymph nodes from the armpit area, which is why some people get lymphedema in the hand or arm after breast surgery. The more lymph nodes removed, the higher your risk for lymphedema. A sentinel node biopsy usually removes 2 or 3 lymph nodes. An axillary node dissection usually removes between 5 and 30 lymph nodes from the armpit (axilla).
Surgery for other types of cancer might include the removal of lymph nodes in other parts of the body, such as the pelvic area or groin. The risk of lymphedema will depend on the location and number of lymph nodes that must be removed.
Radiation therapy can also cause lymphedema. Radiation can damage or scar nearby lymph nodes. Damaged lymph nodes don’t work well, allowing fluid to back up and cause swelling.
Tumors and enlarged lymph nodes can also cause lymphedema if they are pressing on and blocking the flow of lymph fluid.
There are non-cancer causes of lymphedema as well:
It’s important to notice lymphedema early so you can start treatment right away. Lymphedema that isn’t treated can get worse and even become permanent.
Common signs and symptoms of lymphedema can include:
Lymphedema is most common in the arms and legs. But since we have lymph nodes all over our body, it can develop anywhere.
If you have lymphedema, your cancer care team might describe it as being stage 0, 1, 2, or 3.
It’s important to identify and treat lymphedema as early as possible when it’s most likely to be reversible. The goals of lymphedema treatment are to reduce swelling, prevent infection (cellulitis), improve ability to move and function, and relieve discomfort.
Common treatments for early-stage or mild lymphedema include:
Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) is the combination of manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, skin care, exercises, and elevation. CDT is often used to manage mild to moderate lymphedema.
For severe lymphedema, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) might be added to the treatment plan. IPC is a type of compression therapy where a sleeve or stocking is applied to the affected areas and inflated (like a blood pressure cuff). It applies specific amounts of pressure to move fluid out of the area. IPC might also be used for less severe cases of lymphedema if a person can’t wear compression garments or can’t do manual self-lymphatic drainage.
Surgery might be an option if lymphedema is severe and hasn’t improved with other treatments.
Lymphedema can develop many years after cancer treatment, even if you’ve never had it before. If you have had a type of treatment that puts you at high risk of lymphedema, it’s important to continue to watch for signs and take steps to prevent lymphedema from starting, returning, or getting worse. Here are some tips for preventing and managing lymphedema.
Skin care is one of the most important things you can do if you are at risk for lymphedema. Cuts and injuries to the skin can trigger lymphedema or make it worse. The skin around the area where there are damaged or missing lymph nodes is always at risk of infection because lymph nodes are part of the immune system that protects us.
Body areas that have damaged or missing lymph nodes can’t move and drain lymph fluid through the area as well. But there are things you can do to promote drainage of lymph fluid:
Call your doctor or lymphedema therapist if you notice any signs of lymphedema or cellulitis, or if:
Ask your doctor or cancer care team:
Lymphatic Education & Resource Network: The LE&RN Resource Guide offers videos, newsletters, frequently asked questions, personal stories, and a list of lymphedema specialty centers. They also connect people with lymphedema to others through state and international community chapters.
Find a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT):
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Executive Committee of the International Society of Lymphology. The diagnosis and treatment of peripheral lymphedema: 2020 Consensus Document of the International Society of Lymphology. Lymphology. 2020;53(1):3-19.
Lymphatic Education & Research Network. Lymphedema: what you need to know. Massachusetts General Hospital. 2019. Accessed December 18, 2023.
Mehrara B. Clinical staging and conservative management of peripheral lymphedema. UpToDate. UpToDate Inc; 2023. Updated November 2022. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-staging-and-conservative-management-of-peripheral-lymphedema
Mehrara B. Surgical treatment of primary and secondary lymphedema. UpToDate. UpToDate Inc; 2023. Updated August 2023. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/surgical-treatment-of-primary-and-secondary-lymphedema
Kilbreath SL, Ward LC, Davis GM, et al. Reduction of breast lymphoedema secondary to breast cancer: a randomized controlled exercise trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2020;184(2):459-467.
Ridner SH, Dietrich MS, Deng J, Ettema SL, Murphy B. Advanced pneumatic compression for treatment of lymphedema of the head and neck: a randomized wait-list controlled trial. Support Care Cancer. 2021;29(2):795-803. doi:10.1007/s00520-020-05540-8
Schmitz KH, Troxel AB, Dean LT, et al. Effect of home-based exercise and weight loss programs on breast cancer-related lymphedema outcomes among overweight breast cancer survivors: the WISER survivor randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncol. 2019;5(11):1605-1613. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.2109
Last Revised: April 9, 2024
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.
If this was helpful, donate to help fund patient support services, research, and cancer content updates.