Authors

  1. Fu, Mei R. PhD, RN, ACNS-BC
  2. Ridner, Sheila H. PhD, RN, ACNP
  3. Armer, Jane PhD, RN, FAAN

OVERVIEW

As breast cancer survivors often say, lymphedema is more than just a swollen arm. A result of surgical or radiologic breast cancer treatment, it's an abnormal accumulation of lymph in the arm, shoulder, breast, or thoracic area that usually develops within three years of a breast cancer diagnosis but can occur much later. In Part 1 (July) the authors described the pathophysiology and diagnosis of lymphedema. In Part 2 they discuss current approaches to risk reduction, treatment and management of the condition, and implications for nurses.