Embarrassing Illnesses

If it is felt that you are at risk of developing lymphoedema because you have undergone cancer treatments, it is likely that you will be offered an assessment for lymphoedema as part of your after-care treatment plan.

Otherwise you should contact your GP if you begin to experience symptoms of swelling.

There are a number of specialist lymphoedema treatment centres in England, so it is possible that you may be referred to one of these for further assessment.

In many cases it is possible to make a diagnosis by asking you about your symptoms, medical history, and measuring the circumference of the affected limbs.

Though other tests may be recommended in order to assess the extent and severity of your symptoms and rule out other possible causes, such as an infection or a blood clot. These tests are described below.

Water displacement method

The water displacement method is based on the simple principle that you can calculate the volume of an object by measuring how much water it displaces. You will be asked to place the affected limb in a tank of water, and a measurement will then be taken.

Perometery

A perometery is a machine that uses infra-red light to measure the volume in an affected body part.

Lymphoscintigraphy

A lymphoscintigraphy is a procedure where a radioactive dye is injected into your lymphatic system. The dye can then be tracked using a special scanner. The scanner can then study how the dye moves through your lymphatic system and see if they are any blockages.

Bioimpedance test

During a bioimpedance test electrodes are placed on different parts of your body, which then release a small and painless electric charge. The charge is then measured using a hand-held device. Changes in the strength of the current can indicate the presence of fluid within your tissue.

MRI and Ultrasound Scans

MRI and ultrasound scans can be used to build up a clearer picture of the affected tissue. They are also useful in ruling out another condition known as lipoedema, in which the limbs swell due to the presence of abnormal fat deposits.