HJAR Jan/Feb 2023

52 JAN / FEB 2023 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS DIALOGUE COLUMN ONCOLOGY WITH ANY TYPE of cancer, the treatments and therapies used to combat it can come with side effects that present their own unique challenges. For breast cancer patients, this can come in the form of lymphedema. This condition is caused by blockage in the lymphatic system, which leads to swelling in the arm or leg. It can severely inhibit a patient’s range of motion and ability to go about their normal daily routines. Patients often notice this condition when jewelry or clothing that once fit fine starts to become noticeably tighter, or they expe- rience heaviness, numbness, or tingling in How Lymphedema Treatment Has Evolved FROM COMPRESSION TO PREVENTION: the affected areas. If patients seek treatment when lymphedema is in its earliest stages, there are a variety of ways to treat it and help them return to normalcy. Manual lymph drainage, a massage tech- nique, helps stimulate the movement of fluid away from swollen lymph nodes. Lightweight compression garments can increase pres- sure to reduce the amount of fluid in the limb. Education and exercise can help patients mit- igate their symptoms before they become chronic and permanent. Even simple changes in elevation can help alleviate any swelling and pain a patient may be experiencing at this stage. Unfortunately, as lymphedema progresses, it becomes a chronic condition with a range of severe issues. At stage 2, patients will start to see irreversible changes within the tissue of the skin. Swelling may still be reduced at this stage, but the texture of the tissue can- not be changed. At stage 3, patients experi- ence extensive swelling and skin changes that lead to an extreme loss in basic function and range of motion. Patients will be forced to sacrifice a substantial amount of what they are able to do as part of their daily routine.