Lymphoedema: Medical Treatments

(asked on 20th July 2015) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what preventative treatments are available in the NHS for lymphoedema.


Answered by
 Portrait
Jane Ellison
This question was answered on 7th September 2015

Lymphoedema results from either a congenital inadequacy of the lymphatic system (primary lymphoedema) or damage to the lymphatic system or removal of lymph nodes by surgery, radiation, infection or injury. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence states that the most common type of chronic lymphoedema in the United Kingdom is secondary lymphoedema of the arm following breast cancer.

Rather than there being preventative treatment for lymphoedema, there is preventative care, which is designed to keep the condition well managed.

Treatment aims to reduce swelling, pain and discomfort. Manual lymph drainage uses massage techniques to help drain lymph fluid away from the limb. Decongestive lymphatic therapy consists of a combination of manual drainage followed by graduated compression bandaging, skin care advice and exercises designed to build and stimulate the muscles involved in lymph drainage. This is repeated once or twice daily to progressively reduce limb volume. Once no further limb volume reduction is possible, the patient is fitted with a custom-made garment to be worn daily. Surgery may be needed in a small number of cases and liposuction may also be considered for some patients.

Data relating to the total number of people diagnosed with lymphoedema is not collected, though research estimates suggest it affects at least 100,000 people in the UK and could be as high as 200,000. Because the vast majority of treatment for lymphoedema is not provided as inpatient care, data regarding the number of people being treated for condition in the last five years is not collected.

Reticulating Splines