More than 1 in 51
develop after breast cancer
KNOWLEDGE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
What 20 years of research says about – simply explained21
We have reviewed the most cited research on (swelling that develops when the body’s lymphatic system cannot carry fluid away) from the past 20 years.121 Here are the key findings, without complicated words.
Explore the researchSOME KEY FINDINGS FROM THE STUDIES
The figures refer to patients in studies. The increase in risk compares removal of many (small parts of the immune system that filter lymph fluid) with removal of only the sentinel node.1 Surgical results refer to (an operation that removes fat through small cuts using thin tubes) with lifelong (pressure from bandages or special garments that helps keep swelling down). Follow-up extends up to 21 years.2123 Results vary between individuals.
RESEARCH, STEP BY STEP
For those who want to understand more
Start where you are. Here we have brought together the research in six areas, with simple explanations and links to the studies.
What is ?
What happens when fluid is not carried away? Understand the swelling, its stages and why fat can develop.
From fluid to fat20
Read more about What is lymphoedema?Who is affected and why?
can develop after cancer treatment or be present from birth. Read about risk factors and common misunderstandings.
21,4 % after breast cancer1
Read more about Who is affected and why?for
What does Brorson's method involve? Read about surgery, long-term results and why is essential.
Follow-up up to 21 years21
Read more about Liposuction for chronic lymphoedemaTreatment by stage
From early detection and exercise to different operations. Which treatment may help at each stage?
14 % versus 29 % flare-ups13
Read more about Treatment by stageQuality of life, infections and costs
How does affect life? Read about everyday life, infections and what studies show after treatment.
87 % fewer 25
Read more about Quality of life, infections and costs, obesity or ?
Similar symptoms can have different causes. Here we compare the conditions and explain why the right (the doctor’s assessment of which condition you have) matters.
Different causes – different help41
Read more about Lipoedema, obesity or lymphoedema?UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BODY
From fluid to fat
Long-standing swelling can change. This affects which treatment may help.3
Fluid collects
(fluid carried away from tissue by the body’s lymphatic system) collects in the tissue. The swelling is soft and often leaves a dent when pressed.3
Fatty tissue grows
Long-standing swelling and (the body’s response to damage or irritation in tissue) can cause fatty tissue to grow.3
The swelling becomes firm
In (lymphoedema that has been present for a long time and does not go away), much of the swelling may be fat. It then often leaves no dent when pressed.3
This is why bandages, and (gentle massage that helps lymph fluid move) are not always enough in later stages. They help fluid move, but do not remove excess fat.3
In the comparison involving 28 patients, excess arm volume fell by 47 % with alone and 104 % with and .18 Over 100 % means the arm became the same size as, or slightly smaller than, the unaffected arm. This refers to (the extra volume compared with the unaffected arm or leg), not the volume of the whole arm.
Before treatmentAfter treatment
Number of (bacterial skin infections that cause redness, fever and swelling) per patient per year, before and after with continued . Arm: 0,47 before and 0,06 after in 130 patients.25 Leg: 0,20 before and 0,07 after in 124 patients.26
The figures describe groups of patients in studies. They do not predict what treatment can offer you. Many results come from follow-up studies, not large comparisons where treatment is randomly assigned. Results vary between individuals.2
Research rooted in Malmö
Håkan Brorson
Håkan Brorson is a doctor and researcher in Malmö. Since the 1990s, he has developed and studied as a treatment for .18 The method is also used and studied in Australia, the Netherlands and the USA.293031
Read about Brorson's method