Overview
Lymphoedema usually occurs in an arm or leg, but can also affect other parts of the body.
Early symptoms include tightness, heaviness or aching in the affect area, and swelling that may be more noticeable at the end of the day.
Contact your doctor or a lymphoedema practitioner if you notice any of these signs. They will do a physical examination to check for swelling and damage to the skin. You may also have some imaging scans of the affected area.
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Early intervention for lymphoedema
Finding lymphoedema before you notice any signs can reduce the risk of developing swelling. If you are at risk of lymphoedema, ask your treatment team if regular screening check-ups are recommended for you and available near where you live. Early detection and early intervention using education, compression garments and exercise help to reduce the impact of lymphoedema.
What are the early warning signs?
Taking action quickly can reverse mild lymphoedema and help reduce the risk of developing severe lymphoedema. As soon as you notice any warning signs in the affected area, it’s important to see your lymphoedema practitioner or doctor.
Early warning signs include:
- feeling of tightness, heaviness or fullness
- aching in the affected area
- swelling that comes and goes or is more noticeable at the end of the day (or on waking for head and neck cancer)
- tighter clothing, shoes or jewellery
- not being able to fully move the affected limb
- pitting of the skin (when gentle pressure leaves an indent on the skin).
Contact a lymphoedema practitioner if you notice any of these signs or are unsure about your risk of developing lymphoedema.
Diagnosis of lymphoedema
Your lymphoedema practitioner or another health professional will ask about your medical history, and check the level of swelling and any thickening or damage to the skin. The size of the affected limb will be compared to the other limb, and any differences will be assessed.
This is done in different ways:
- using a tape measure to measure the distance around the limb (circumference)
- using a device with a painless, low-frequency electric charge (bioimpedance spectroscopy) to calculate the amount of fluid
- using a high-frequency, low-power electromagnetic wave to measure the water content of the tissues
- taking photos of more difficult to measure areas, such as the head, neck, trunk, breast and genitals
- using a doppler ultrasound to rule out a blood clot
- less commonly, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerised tomography (CT) or an ultrasound to show extra fluid or fat in tissues or tissue changes
- using special imaging procedures – such as lymphoscintigraphy or indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent lymphography – to see if there are problems with lymph fluid flow.
If lymphoedema is diagnosed, it will be staged from 0 (least severe) to 3 (most severe). All stages of lymphoedema need ongoing treatment and care.
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