What Is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a condition in which edema (swelling) occurs from abnormal accumulation of protein-rich lymph fluid in the space between cells in the body.
Swelling develops in one or both of your arms and legs when a blockage occurs in the lymphatic system that prevents fluid from draining well.
Lymphedema can be present at birth, or it can occur after the removal of, or damage to, lymph nodes during cancer treatment.
We offer advanced surgical and nonsurgical treatments tailored specifically to your condition. Our specialists thoroughly understand how lymphedema affects your life, regardless of its cause. Whether you seek prevention, diagnosis, or treatment, we provide cutting-edge care from board-certified providers using state-of-the-art techniques.
What Lymphedema Conditions Do We Treat?
Our comprehensive program addresses lymphedema from diverse causes, including:
- Cancer-related treatments (radiation therapy or surgical procedures).
- Congenital lymphatic conditions (birth defects).
- Physical trauma or injury.
- Infection-related lymphatic damage.
What Lymphedema Services Do We Offer?
UPMC offers a full spectrum of care, from early surveillance to conservative therapy and microsurgical interventions. Treatment plans are personalized based on a patient’s stage, symptoms, and goals. Many patients start with complete decongestive therapy (CDT) and may be candidates for surgery.
Nonsurgical treatment options
Complete decongestive therapy (CDT)
CDT is a comprehensive program that combines multiple treatments for a holistic approach to treating lymphedema. The two phases of this treatment include an active phase to bring your lymphedema under control, followed by a maintenance phase.
Component treatments include:
- Compression bandaging — Multilayer bandaging that helps reduce swelling and maintain fluid movement. A trained therapist wraps several layers of short stretch bandages and padding around the affected limb. Bandaging reduces the size of the limb through pressure and promotes an internal pumping action that pushes fluid back into the lymphatic system and out of your tissues.
- Exercise — Therapeutic exercise is an important component in the management of lymphedema. Under the supervision of a therapist, you will gradually increase exercise of the affected limb. By slowly increasing activity, the affected limb becomes decongested and can handle greater levels of stress.
- Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) — A gentle massage technique that stimulates fluid movement through the lymphatic system.
- Self-management — Self-management is the overarching term that describes everything you can do to manage your lymphedema at home. Therapists teach you how to apply bandages or compression wear and perform specific exercises to reduce the chance of your lymphedema returning to its pretreatment form.
Lifestyle changes
Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes in addition to other treatments, including:
- Avoiding extreme heat.
- Elevation.
- Exercise.
- Losing weight
- Taking breaks from sitting to move around.
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing for comfort.
Surgical treatment options
For patients who need additional support, our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons offer cutting-edge surgical options, including:
- Debulking procedures — Remove excess tissue and fat accumulation through techniques such as liposuction or direct excision.
- Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) — Performed simultaneously with lymph node removal to restore lymphatic flow and reduce the risk of developing lymphedema.
- Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) — A minimally invasive supermicrosurgery technique that connects lymph vessels directly to veins, bypassing damaged areas and reducing swelling, pain, and infection risk.
- Vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) — Transfers healthy lymph nodes from one area to an affected region, promoting improved drainage.
What Can I Expect?
Before your appointment, bring any relevant medical information or imaging with you. When you meet with your doctor, they will ask you questions about your medical history and current symptoms.
They may order imaging tests for diagnostic purposes, including:
Depending on the results from your imaging, you may be referred to another doctor or surgeon.
At UPMC, patients receive comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team including surgeons, physician assistants, physical therapists, and dietitians who are all certified in lymphedema management.
Your personalized treatment plan will begin with:
- A thorough medical history and physical exam.
- Advanced diagnostic testing (including bioimpedance technology—SOZO).
- Customized garment fittings and supplementary therapies such as lymphatic pumps.
- Precise measurements to track progress.
We offer coordinated care in a supportive, patient-focused environment, ensuring continuous monitoring and adjustments tailored to your recovery.
Why Choose UPMC for Lymphedema Services?
When you choose UPMC for lymphedema care, you will receive:
- Certified lymphedema therapists — Our therapists provide comprehensive, personalized care programs combining manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, exercise, and patient education.
- Collaborative multidisciplinary team — We foster a friendly, integrated team approach, ensuring the best outcomes through coordinated care.
- Comprehensive breast cancer expertise — The breast cancer experts at UPMC provide state-of-the-art care for every form of breast cancer at every stage of the disease.
- Expert plastic surgeons — Our board-certified plastic surgeons are leaders in supermicrosurgery, an innovative and highly specialized technique for treating lymphedema. UPMC is among the few centers nationally offering this advanced approach.
- Management of treatment side effects — Our experts collaborate to help you manage the side effects of your treatment, including lymphedema.
- Supportive services tailored to your needs — Our approach to breast cancer care honors your preferences with supportive services for the best possible results.
