What causes lymphoedema?
Surgery and radiation can disrupt the lymph vessels. In some cancer surgery, lymph nodes might need to be removed. Vessels and nodes can also be damaged as an unintended adverse effect of treatment. Surgeons try to avoid procedures that do a lot of damage to the lymphatic system, but it is not always avoidable. Temporary lymphoedema is very common after surgery and does not usually become a chronic problem. It is usually mild, and it will usually go away within a few weeks or months. It does not mean that you are necessarily more likely to develop chronic lymphoedema. In fact, it is not possible to predict very accurately who might get lymphoedema, or whose lymphoedema might get worse. Lymphoedema can develop months or even years after surgery. At least 10 to 20 % of women who have had breast cancer surgery or radiation are likely to get lymphoedema to at least some extent, usually within the first two years after treatment. Breast cancer surgery can cause lymphoedema in the arm, armpi
