Surgery is an option for people who have tried other nonsurgical treatment options to treat lymphedema.
Lymphedema is a common side effect of cancer treatment. Some interventions can help without surgery. If you do not see any improvements, there are other surgical options available.
Our Siteman care coordinators – oncology-trained nurses who help with scheduling, finding the right specialist, and guidance – can help you through the process.
Call us directly or submit a form, and we will call you back.
About Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a condition that causes abnormal swelling that can occur after cancer treatment. It happens when the lymph fluid builds up in the body’s soft tissues. It usually occurs in the arms or legs but can occur in other parts of the body. Symptoms include:
- Extreme swelling
- Decreased flexibility
- Changes in skin elasticity or thickness
- Discomfort while wearing certain clothes or jewelry
- Pain, redness, itching, or warmth in a particular area
Why Choose Siteman
WashU physicians at Siteman Cancer Center are specially trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery. They focus on helping cancer patients. They provide people with lymphedema exceptional reconstructive surgery care.
You can access a wide range of advanced, customized treatment options at Siteman Cancer Center that you might not find elsewhere. This ensures you have the best path ahead.
Clinical trials are research studies that help us find new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. If you have a rare or complex diagnosis or your treatment path seems uncertain, you might qualify for a clinical trial.
Our team will help you find a study that is right for you. Call us to speak with a Siteman care coordinator.
Surgical Options for Lymphedema
A variety of surgical options are available for treating lymphedema. How invasive the methods are will depend on the stage of the lymphedema.
Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA)
LVA is a procedure that redirects lymphatic fluid into veins in the arm or leg. This goes around what is blocking the lymph from flowing. It is the least invasive of all the surgical options for lymphedema. Usually, surgeons perform this on an outpatient basis, so you can go home after treatment.
Doctors perform the surgery by making small incisions on the affected limb with a high-precision microscope. Once they have identified the lymphatic vessels, they can connect them to the veins. This allows the lymphatic fluid to flow where it’s supposed to.
Vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT)
During VLNT procedures, doctors transfer healthy lymph nodes to damaged tissue. After the transplant, the functional lymph nodes start to stimulate the growth of new lymph nodes.
VLNT is an outpatient surgery and takes around 4 hours to complete. You can go home after the procedure.
Reductive surgery
Reductive surgery for lymphedema involves surgical approaches to reduce limb volume. Surgeons do this by removing excess fatty tissue that develops as the disease progresses.
If a patient has had lymphedema for a long time, they might see fluid build-up, growing fat deposits, and scarring (fibrosis). Surgeons perform reductive methods such as liposuction and the Charles procedure to improve a patient’s quality of life.
- Liposuction: Doctors might suggest liposuction for patients with extra fat who can’t use other treatments.
- Charles Procedure (skin grafts): In this procedure, doctors will remove the affected tissue and use skin grafts to repair it. A person undergoing skin grafts will need extra care for the surgical site after surgery. Recovery can take up to a month.
These operations don’t fix the body’s normal lymph drainage. Instead, they deal with the lasting effects of chronic disease caused by cancer treatment. They are generally paired with lifelong compression therapy to preserve outcomes.
Non-surgical options for lymphedema
The lymphatic system cannot heal itself like other tissues can, so damage is permanent. However, there are treatments that can ease discomfort. Some of these options will reduce long-term effects.
- Compression devices
- Pressure garments
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Laser therapy
- Weight loss
Who is a Candidate for Lymphedema Surgery?
You may be a good candidate for lymphedema surgery if you meet the following criteria:
- You have tried all other nonsurgical treatment options.
- You do not have any additional medical conditions that may interfere with treatment.
- You have a positive approach and realistic goals for restoring your body image.
Your Second Opinion at Siteman
Siteman wants to be your first choice for cancer care, but that might not always be possible. If you have received a cancer diagnosis, started care somewhere else, or are a physician seeking specialized care for your patient, ask us about a second opinion. You can start the process. To make it easy, our care coordinators guide scheduling for yourself or your patient.
