ABSTRACT
Lymphoedema is the accumulation of excess amounts of fluid from the failure of lymphatic drainage, resulting in chronic swelling. Lymphoedema can either be primary/inherited due to intrinsic genetic abnormalities, or secondary. In breast cancer, lymphoedema can occur in the arm, the breast, or in both. Secondary lymphoedema results from the damage to the lymphatic system due to surgical removal of lymph nodes and/or breast tissue, radiation therapy to the breast and/or axilla/supra-clavicular fossa or direct chemotherapy injury. The main aims of lymphoedema treatment involve reducing the swelling, restoring the function and preventing complications such as superimposed infections, and, of course, preventing a worsening of the already-established lymphoedema. Individual studies have shown significant benefit of LVA in a reduction in lymphoedema volume and improvement in patient symptoms in the preventative and treatment settings. A smaller proportion of lymphatics are found in the deeper parenchyma of the breast, perforating the deep fascia to drain into the internal mammary nodes.
