Cancer Types - Lymphedema Following a Breast Cancer Surgery The
lymphatic system consists of many vessels that carry lymph fluid
throughout the body. Lymph is a clear, colorless fluid
containing water and a few blood cells; it originates in many
organs and tissues. The lymphatic system is part of your immune
system. It helps to protect and maintain the fluid environment
of the body by filtering and draining lymph and waste products
away from each region of the body. Often during a lumpectomy or
mastectomy, some or all of the lymph nodes under the arm may be
removed. The lymph nodes under the arm (also called the axillary
lymph nodes) drain the lymphatic vessels from the upper arms,
the majority of the breast, the neck, and the underarm regions.
The lymph nodes help to filter excess fluid, bacteria, and by-
products of infections. Whenever the normal drainage pattern in
the lymph nodes is disturbed or damaged (as often happens during
surgery to remove the lymph nodes), severe swelling of the arm
may occur. Radi