Lymphedema Clinic

Our approach to lymphedema management and treatment

Our lymphedema specialists personalize your care plan to meet your needs and goals. We treat all stages of primary lymphedema (an inherited condition) and secondary lymphedema (often caused by cancer treatment).

Lymphedema prevention

Our team provides preventive care and proactive surveillance for people at high risk of developing lymphedema. You may be more likely to develop lymphedema if you've had radiation therapy or surgery to remove lymph nodes, such as breast cancer surgery. Strategies for managing your risk may include exercise, dietary adjustments and skin care.

Lymphedema evaluation and diagnosis

We do a complete lymphedema assessment, which includes a physical exam, limb measurements and imaging exams to evaluate how your lymphatic system is functioning.

Our Lymphedema Clinic uses leading-edge diagnostic procedures, including:

• Lymphoscintigraphy, an imaging technique for the lymph system

• Bioimpedance, a test that measures your body composition using a harmless electrical current

• Perometry, a method that uses lasers to create a 3D model of your limb and measure its volume

Nonsurgical lymphedema therapies

There are many ways to reduce lymphedema swelling, such as customized compression garments or devices that help move lymphatic fluid through your limbs. People who are older or have a body mass index (BMI) higher than 30 may benefit from range of motion exercises and self-massage.

We also offer complete decongestive therapy (CDT), which combines lymphatic bandaging, massage, exercises and skin care.

Our team provides counseling and education to help you manage lymphedema at home. You have easy access to our nurse, who can answer your questions and address concerns.

Lymphedema surgery

Surgical treatments for lymphedema may include direct or liposuction-assisted debulking, which removes excess fat from affected limbs. Surgeons at UCSF Health also specialize in microsurgery for lymphedema. We use this advanced technique to perform:

• Lymphovenous bypass (LVB) reroutes lymphatic fluid into blood vessels.

• Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) reroutes lymphatic vessels and can be done at the same time as breast cancer surgery or other procedures that remove lymph nodes.

• Vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) involves moving healthy lymph nodes from one part of your body to the area with lymphedema.

Follow-up care

The UCSF Breast Cancer Follow-Up Program at our Breast Care Center addresses your quality of life concerns after cancer treatment, such as lymphedema or medication side effects.