The lymphatic system is part of your immune system. It is a network of organs, vessels and lymph nodes that carry nutrient-rich fluid, called lymph, throughout the body. This system is responsible for filtering out bacteria and other harmful substances, keeping fluid levels in balance, transporting fats and proteins from the digestive system and removing cellular waste products from your body.

Lymphedema is chronic swelling caused by a disruption to your body's lymphatic system — a network of tiny tubes and lymph nodes that carry nutrient-rich fluid, called lymph, throughout the body, filtering bacteria and waste. Lymphedema develops when:

• Lymphatic vessels are damaged
• Lymph nodes are surgically removed (often due to cancer treatment)
• Lymphatic vessels are impaired or missing

Lymphedema can cause pain, restrict movement, lead to a serious infection and lessen your quality of life.

Lymphedema can be a risk for cancer patients who have had surgery, including sentinel lymph node biopsy or any lymph node removal, or radiation treatment for cancer. It can be most common in patients who have:

• Breast cancer
• Head and neck cancers
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Pelvic area cancers, such as bladder, penile, prostate, testicular, endometrial, vulvar, or cervical cancer
• Sarcoma

When lymph nodes are removed during surgery or treated with radiation, damage occurs — making it harder for the lymphatic system to remove or clean fluid. As the fluid backs up, swelling and inflammation occur.

We are here to help you prevent this condition and to provide proper treatment when necessary.

If you have any concerns or experience any lymphedema symptoms, please contact your doctor to request a referral to a certified lymphedema therapist.

If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you may be a candidate for lymphedema treatment:

• Have you had surgery or radiation for cancer of the breast, head and neck, cervix, uterus, prostate or skin?
• Do you have swelling of the hand, arm, armpit, chest, breast, shoulder blade region, abdomen, foot, leg, pelvis, groin, genitals, and/or face or neck?
• Does one arm or leg seem larger than the other limb?
• Did a recent airplane flight cause swelling or tightness in your arm or leg that did not resolve in a few hours after landing?
• Do you have a body part that feels heavy or full?
• Does your clothing feel tight on one side or in one area?
• Are your shoes suddenly too tight?
• Does your jewelry suddenly not fit right without overall weight gain?
• Do you have tightness in the armpit or chest wall?
• Do you have tightness in the groin, pelvis, abdominal wall, neck and face?
• Does your face, neck feel tight and hard?
• Are your legs abnormally large and the skin on your legs reddish brown? Do you notice unusual skin growths on your legs or do they dent when you press on them?
• Do you have a tingling or aching sensation in a limb?
• Do you feel like you have a cord or rope extending from your armpit to your elbow/wrist?
• Are you leaking a yellowish/clear fluid from swollen legs?
• Have you had multiple skin/tissue infections?