Lymphedema Quiz
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Swelling
Left leg swelling
Swelling of the affected area
Swelling in the arm
Edema
Unilateral leg swelling
The problem area has swollen
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Lymphedema?
When the lymphatic drainage system gets damaged or blocked, lymph fluid accumulates in the body's soft tissues, causing swelling. This can occur anywhere in the body, but it's most commonly seen in the arms and legs.
Typical Symptoms of Lymphedema
- History of pelvic surgery
- History of skin cancer
- History of bladder cancer
- History of cancer of the ovaries
- History of cancer of the cervix
- History of radiation therapy
- Swelling of the arms or hands
- Swelling or water retention on one side of the body
Diagnostic Questions for Lymphedema
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Have you ever had pelvic surgery?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with skin cancer?
- Have you been diagnosed with bladder cancer?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with ovarian cancer?
- Have you been diagnosed with cervical cancer?
Treatment of Lymphedema
There is no cure for lymphedema. The swelling and complications can be reduced with the help of medication, compression bandages/garments, massage, exercise, surgery, and other therapies.
Reviewed By:
Caroline M. Doan, DO (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Doan received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from UCLA. Prior to obtaining her medical degree, she was involved in oncology clinical research at City of Hope, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in southern California. She attended medical school at Touro University California, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds an active medical license in several states. She currently works as a physician for Signify Health providing home-based health care.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Diseases Related to Lymphedema
FAQs
Q.
Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Actually “Detox”? The Truth
A.
It does not detox your body; your liver and kidneys do that, while lymphatic drainage massage simply supports lymph flow and can reduce swelling in conditions like lymphedema, improving comfort but not flushing toxins from organs. There are several factors to consider, including when it actually helps, who should avoid it, and better ways to support real detox such as hydration, nutrition, movement, and sleep; see the complete details below to guide your next steps.
References:
* Klein, A. V., & Kiat, H. (2015). Detoxification and Cleansing: A Medical Review. *Journal of Environmental and Public Health*, 2015, 760618. [PMID: 26097151]
* Oliver, G., Kipnis, J., & Harvey, N. L. (2020). The lymphatic vasculature in the 21st century: a emerging paradigm in basic and biomedical sciences. *Cell*, 182(2), 273-294. [PMID: 32679024]
* Scallan, J. P., Huxley, V. H., & K. M. (2016). Anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system. *Advances in Physiology Education*, 40(2), 163-175. [PMID: 27207626]
* Pereira, M. P., & de Azevedo, L. R. (2018). Manual Lymphatic Drainage: Evidence and Mechanisms. *Frontiers in Physiology*, 9, 1374. [PMID: 30459639]
* Vairo, G. L., & Silva, R. F. (2016). Manual lymphatic drainage: current evidence and recommendations. *Physical Therapy in Sport*, 22, 45-50. [PMID: 27297920]
Q.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage: What It Is, Benefits, and Who Should Avoid It
A.
Lymphatic drainage massage is a very gentle, light-pressure technique that helps guide lymph flow and may reduce swelling, support lymphedema care and post-surgical recovery, and promote relaxation when done by trained professionals; it is a supportive therapy, not a cure. It is not appropriate for everyone, especially with active infection, uncontrolled heart failure, recent or active blood clots, active cancer without oncologist approval, severe kidney disease, or fever. There are several factors to consider; see below for important details that could shape your next steps and talk with a clinician about whether it is safe for you.
References:
* Ezzo J, Manheimer E, Torriani FJ, et al. Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema secondary to cancer treatment: a systematic review. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2015 Oct;50(4):495-508.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.05.003. Epub 2015 May 29. PMID: 26037048; PMCID: PMC4600109.
* Vairo GL, Biondo C, Piccina M, et al. Manual lymphatic drainage and its physiological effects: a systematic review. J Physiol Sci. 2022 Sep;72(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s12576-022-00868-y. Epub 2022 Jul 30. PMID: 35905108; PMCID: PMC9337095.
* Lawenda BD, Mondry TE. Manual lymphatic drainage: current evidence and future directions. Transl Oncol. 2020 Jun;13(6):100780. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100780. Epub 2020 Apr 1. PMID: 32243542; PMCID: PMC7111059.
* D'Souza S, Ramezani A, Johnson AR, et al. Manual Lymphatic Drainage as a Treatment for Lymphedema: A Narrative Review. Lymphatic Research and Biology. 2023 Dec;21(6):634-644. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2023.0039. Epub 2023 Sep 27. PMID: 37762696.
* Cho Y, Kim CW. Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Lymphedema Treatment: A Narrative Review. J Korean Med Sci. 2022 Mar 21;37(12):e93. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.12.e93. PMID: 35334139; PMCID: PMC8942973.
Q.
Women: Lymphatic Drainage for Bloating—What Helps vs What’s Hype
A.
For bloating, gentle lymphatic drainage can help when puffiness is due to fluid retention, hormones, or long sitting, and it works best alongside walking, deep breathing, and good hydration. It does not burn fat, detox the body, cure digestive disorders, or fix gas or constipation, and any slimming is usually a short-lived fluid shift. There are several factors to consider, including when to try at-home techniques, when to see a certified therapist, and which warning signs mean you should see a doctor. See the complete, step-by-step details below to guide your next steps.
References:
* Sharma S, Maithani M, Sharma B, Singh G, Panwar K. Effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Reducing Abdominal Bloating and Ascites in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2023 Feb 26;15(2):e35508. doi: 10.7759/cureus.35508. PMID: 36984639; PMCID: PMC10041417.
* Karakus P, Karaa M, Koutlas K, Karakus K. The Intestinal Lymphatic System: A New Player in Gastrointestinal Disease. Cells. 2020 Jun 25;9(6):1548. doi: 10.3390/cells9061548. PMID: 32600295; PMCID: PMC7356262.
* Häger K, Lindgren L, Bergström M, Fick T. The Interplay Between Gut Microbiota and the Lymphatic System. Cells. 2022 Apr 28;11(9):1478. doi: 10.3390/cells11091478. PMID: 35560195; PMCID: PMC9098935.
* Smith LA, Bradley SJ, Pimentel M. Abdominal Bloating and Distension: A Narrative Review. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2021 May;17(5):232-243. PMID: 34108871; PMCID: PMC8172911.
* Rehal S, Harvey NL, D'Souza WN. Visceral Adiposity and Impaired Lymphatic Function: A Mechanistic Link to Metabolic Disease. Front Physiol. 2022 Mar 22;13:843346. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.843346. PMID: 35391910; PMCID: PMC8982357.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Bernas M, Thiadens SRJ, Smoot B, Armer JM, Stewart P, Granzow J. Lymphedema following cancer therapy: overview and options. Clin Exp Metastasis. 2018 Aug;35(5-6):547-551. doi: 10.1007/s10585-018-9899-5. Epub 2018 May 17. PMID: 29774452.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10585-018-9899-5Fish ML, Grover R, Schwarz GS. Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Surgical vs Nonsurgical Treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review. JAMA Surg. 2020 Jun 1;155(6):513-519. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2020.0230. PMID: 32347903.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2764557