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As a part of the initial work-up before diagnosing lymphedema, it may be necessary to exclude other potential causes of lower extremity swelling such as renal failure, hypoalbuminemia, congestive heart-failure, protein-losing nephropathy, pulmonary hypertension, obesity, pregnancy and drug-induced edema.
Because swelling is sometimes a sign of cancer, it is also important to see your doctor to be sure the cancer has not come back. Causes of lymphedema. Lymphedema is usually a predictable long-term side effect of some cancer treatments. The most common causes of lymphedema in cancer survivors include: Surgery in which lymph nodes were removed. For example, surgery for breast cancer often involves removing 1 or more lymph nodes under the arm to check for cancer. This can cause lymphedema in the arm. Radiation therapy or other causes of inflammation or scarring in the lymph nodes and lymph vessels. Blockage of the lymph nodes and/or lymph vessels by the cancer. The risk of lymphedema increases with the number of lymph nodes and lymph vessels removed or damaged during cancer treatment or biopsies.