Upper limb lymphoedema: causes and therapies

Upper limb lymphoedema is generally a result of mastectomy (removal of breast cancer) and axillary lymphadenectomy, sometimes followed by radiotherapy. Lymphedema may occur with a very brief latent stage, just a few days, or after a very long latent stage, even decades after surgery. Early prevention and treatment are very important means for avoiding the complications of prolonged and untreated lymph stasis. The lymphedema, progressing even slowly and without the appropriate treatments, is able to further reduce the quality of life of women who have undergone breast surgery.