What is the cause of swollen arms due to breast cancer

The most common complication after breast cancer surgery is edema of the affected upper limb, with an incidence rate of up to 80%. Most of them are mild edema, that is, edema is limited to the proximal upper arm, and only a few develop moderate or severe edema. What are the main causes of upper limb edema? What causes it? The following are several causes of edema.

(1) The most common cause is that the lymphatic vessels in the inner side of the upper arm are damaged during surgery. Radical mastectomy, including the removal of axillary lymph nodes, inevitably damages the lymphatic vessels from the axilla to the inner side of the upper arm, resulting in poor lymphatic drainage.

(2) The axillary vein is compressed when the wound is bandaged. In order to make the wound in the armpit heal as quickly as possible, a dressing is usually placed in the armpit when the wound is bandaged after surgery to increase the pressure. Therefore, the axillary vein will be compressed to a greater or lesser extent, which will block the blood flow back to the upper limb.

(3) If the patient is obese and has extensive metastases in the axilla, the surgical incision will be extended to the upper arm and the cephalic vein will be ligated, causing edema that is difficult to recover from.

(4) Too late to move the upper arm after surgery. Performing upper limb functional rehabilitation exercises as soon as possible, in a planned and step-by-step manner after surgery can promote the return and circulation of upper limb venous blood and lymph. Otherwise, the regeneration of lymphatic vessels will be slow and the edema will last longer.

(5) Long-term axillary effusion and mild infection. If the axillary wound does not heal due to improper wound treatment or other reasons, long-term effusion, or concurrent mild infection, the residual lymphatic vessels will be further damaged. If the infection is repeated, it may even cause obstruction of the subclavian or axillary veins, leading to severe edema.

(6) Recurrence and metastasis in the upper arm, clavicle and axilla after surgery. Recurrence and metastasis in these areas will cause compressive reflux obstruction of local veins and lymphatic vessels, often resulting in progressive and irreversible edema.

(7) Preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy. Preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy can cause venous occlusion and lymphatic vessel damage in the radiation field. It can also cause compression of veins and lymphatic vessels due to local muscle fibrosis, affecting upper limb blood flow and upper limb function.

The edema of the affected limb after breast cancer surgery is lymphatic edema, which is slow to cure. You can wear elastic stockings and pay attention to rest. For lymphatic edema, you can wear elastic stockings, pay attention to rest, and avoid excessive fatigue.