Glossary term
Lymphoedema
Reference only — not medical advice. See disclaimer.
Chronic swelling caused by impaired lymphatic drainage, most commonly seen after axillary lymph-node dissection for breast cancer or after pelvic node surgery for gynaecological or urological cancers. Treatment is conservative — compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and skin care. Surgical options (lymphovenous anastomosis, vascularised lymph-node transfer) are available at specialist centres.