Medical Questions » Arms Questions » Question No. 67
| Question: | My arm has swollen horribly after an operation for cancer of the breast. Can this be treated? |
| Answer: | When the breast is removed for cancer, it is necessary to remove a lot of tissue around it in order to catch any cancer cells that may have spread. The most common place for these malignant cells to go is to the glands in the armpit. It is therefore necessary to remove these glands if the cancer is a large one.
The waste products produced by the muscles in moving your hand and arm are returned to the body through a network of fine vein-like tubes called the lymphatic system. Along these lymph channels, the lymph glands act as filters to remove any infection or abnormal cells. These are the glands situated in your armpit. If these are removed, the lymphatic channels are disrupted, and the lymphatic fluid is unable to return to the body in its normal manner. Much of it will enter the bloodstream and return via the veins, but what remains behind causes the arm to become swollen, tense and sore (lymphoedema).
It is a very difficult problem to treat. There are several techniques that can be tried, and sometimes a combination of them gives relief. Wearing a firm, correctly shaped elasticised stocking over the arm at night often gives relief. It is a matter that you will have to discuss in more detail with your own doctor. |
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