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Can lymphedema happen at any time?

Page last modified on: September 8, 2008
Question from Sally: Do you get lymphedema right after surgery, or can it occur anytime—even years after surgery for breast cancer?
Answers —Sara Cohen, O.T.R./L., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A.: I have patients who come in 10, 15, even 20 years after surgery who never had swelling before and suddenly developed lymphedema.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Sometimes it can happen without any clear reason, and sometimes it can happen because of something specific that happened, like an infection, burn, overuse of the arm, or something like that.

On Wednesday, July 17, 2002, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Arm Lymphedema Prevention and Management. Sara Cohen, O.T.R./L., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A., Saska Thiadens, R.N. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about preventing and managing arm lymphedema.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Sara Cohen, OTR/L, CLT-LANASara Cohen, O.T.R./L., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A. is an occupational therapist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where she works with patients who have had breast cancer and lymphedema.

Saskia Thiadens, R.N. is a nurse and the founder and executive director of the National Lymphedema Network (NLN), a non-profit organization providing education and guidance to health care professionals and women affected by lymphedema.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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