Lymphedema, by definition swelling in extremities resulting from impaired flow of the lymphatic system, is a common leftover problem for patients who have undergone cancer treatment. In the US, it most commonly occurs in women after receiving breast cancer surgery, particularly when followed by radiation treatment. While physiotherapy and compression therapy are frequently employed to reduce the swelling and discomfort of lymphedema patients, there is still no known cure for this medical condition. Worse still, the short of systematic and effective evaluations and interventions of symptoms after cancer treatment poses a roadblock for early detection of lymphedema.
