Breast Cancer & Lymphedema: The Side Effects Survivors May Not Expect
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to recognize survivors, support those currently undergoing treatment, and encourage early detection. It is also an important opportunity to talk about some of the longer-term effects of breast cancer treatment that may receive less attention.
One of those effects is breast cancer-related lymphedema, or BCRL.
For some breast cancer survivors, swelling, heaviness, tightness, or discomfort in the arm, hand, breast, or chest can develop after treatment. These symptoms may appear soon after treatment, but they can also develop later, which is why continued awareness matters even after active cancer treatment has ended.
At PWS Medical Pumps, we believe patients should understand why lymphedema can happen, what signs to watch for, and how treatments—including prescribed pneumatic compression therapy—may fit into a comprehensive lymphedema management plan.
What Is Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema?
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and lymph nodes that helps move fluid through the body and plays an important role in immune function.
Breast cancer treatment can sometimes disrupt that system.
Surgery may involve removing lymph nodes from the underarm, or axillary, region to determine whether cancer has spread. Radiation treatment may also affect lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. When these pathways are damaged or removed, lymphatic fluid may not drain as efficiently and can accumulate in surrounding tissues.
The National Cancer Institute notes that people who have undergone breast cancer surgery involving lymph node removal or radiation therapy can develop lymphedema in the hand, arm, breast, or chest on the treated side.
How Common Is Lymphedema After Breast Cancer?
Risk varies by patient.
A large systematic review and meta-analysis encompassing 84 cohort studies and more than 58,000 breast cancer patients estimated the overall incidence of breast cancer-related lymphedema at approximately 21.9%. Researchers found that risk was associated with factors including axillary lymph node dissection, the number and extent of lymph nodes removed, mastectomy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, higher BMI, and certain treatment complications.
The type of lymph node procedure matters significantly. The American Cancer Society reports that lymphedema is generally less common after a sentinel lymph node biopsy and more common after an axillary lymph node dissection.
It is important to put those numbers in context: having a risk factor does not mean a patient will develop lymphedema. Individual risk depends on the person's cancer treatment, health history, anatomy, and other factors.
What Does Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Feel Like?
Lymphedema does not always begin with dramatic swelling.
Early symptoms may be subtle. The National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society identify signs that can include:
a feeling of heaviness, fullness, or tightness
swelling in the breast, chest, shoulder, arm, or hand
aching, tingling, numbness, or discomfort
decreased flexibility or range of motion
skin changes
clothing, a watch, bracelet, or ring suddenly feeling tighter
visible differences between the treated and untreated sides
Because symptoms may develop gradually, discuss small changes with a healthcare provider.
Why Early Recognition Matters
Lymphedema is a chronic condition, but appropriate management can help control swelling, maintain function, and reduce complications.
Research increasingly supports prospective surveillance and early identification rather than waiting until swelling has become substantial. The NCI's professional lymphedema guidance cites evidence that treatment-related factors such as axillary lymph node dissection and regional nodal radiation are associated with increased BCRL risk, highlighting the importance of identifying higher-risk patients and monitoring for changes over time.
A patient experiencing unexplained swelling, heaviness, or tightness following breast cancer treatment should contact their cancer care team or another qualified healthcare professional for evaluation rather than attempting to diagnose or treat the condition independently.
How Is Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Treated?
Treatment varies from patient to patient.
A comprehensive plan may include approaches such as:
compression garments
therapeutic exercise or movement
skin care
manual lymphatic drainage when appropriate
complete decongestive therapy, or CDT
education and self-management
pneumatic compression therapy for appropriately selected patients
The patient's healthcare team should determine the exact treatment plan based on the severity and characteristics of the lymphedema and the patient's overall medical history.
Where Do Pneumatic Compression Devices Fit In?
Pneumatic compression devices use an inflatable garment placed around the affected extremity. Chambers within the garment inflate and deflate in a prescribed sequence, applying controlled external pressure.
For some patients, a healthcare provider may prescribe pneumatic compression as part of their home lymphedema management plan.
This is an area where the medical literature is particularly important—because pneumatic compression should not be presented as a cure or a replacement for comprehensive lymphedema care.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis examining intermittent pneumatic compression for breast cancer-related upper-extremity lymphedema included 12 clinical studies. Researchers found that adding pneumatic compression to complete decongestive therapy provided an additional short-term reduction in lymphedema compared with CDT alone, although that additional effect diminished during follow-up after therapy stopped.
Another 2024 systematic review comparing decongestive therapy alone with therapy plus a pneumatic compression pump similarly evaluated pneumatic compression as an adjunct to established lymphedema treatment rather than a stand-alone intervention.
More recently, a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 14 randomized controlled studies involving 1,397 patients. The authors found promising results for intermittent pneumatic compression, particularly when used earlier, but also emphasized that its therapeutic effects in established or chronic lymphedema remain inconsistent and that additional high-quality studies are needed.
Taken together, the evidence suggests that pneumatic compression may be a useful component of lymphedema management for appropriately selected patients, particularly when incorporated into a broader treatment plan prescribed by a healthcare professional.
How PWS Medical Pumps Can Help
For patients who are prescribed a pneumatic compression device, receiving the equipment is only one part of the process.
PWS Medical Pumps helps patients obtain and begin using their prescribed pneumatic compression therapy at home. Our goal is to make the process easier and less intimidating while following the treatment ordered by the patient's healthcare provider.
When appropriate, PWS Medical Pumps can help with:
Coordinating prescribed equipment. We work with the patient's healthcare team and prescription to provide an appropriate pneumatic compression device.
Patient education and setup. Patients receive help learning how their prescribed device and garments work so they are not left trying to figure out unfamiliar medical equipment on their own.
Supporting home treatment. Once a provider prescribes pneumatic compression, having equipment at home makes it easier for patients to incorporate treatment into their routine.
Ongoing equipment support. Patients can contact PWS Medical Pumps with questions regarding equipment, service, repairs, garments, or billing.
The decision to use pneumatic compression—and the appropriate treatment settings and schedule—should always come from the patient's qualified healthcare provider.
Breast Cancer Survivorship Includes Life After Treatment
Finishing surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation can be an enormous milestone.
But survivorship also includes recognizing and managing the effects treatment may have months or years later.
Breast cancer-related lymphedema is one example. Knowing the symptoms, understanding individual risk, and seeking evaluation when changes appear can help patients access appropriate care sooner.
Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, PWS Medical Pumps will continue exploring the evidence surrounding breast cancer-related lymphedema, including early warning signs, home lymphedema management, pneumatic compression research, and the importance of long-term survivorship care.
Sources
National Cancer Institute. Lymphedema and Cancer.
National Cancer Institute. Lymphedema (PDQ®)—Health Professional Version.
American Cancer Society. Lymphedema.
Shen A, et al. Risk Factors for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: An Umbrella Review. Annals of Surgical Oncology. 2024.
Zhang L, et al. Risk factors of unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of 84 cohort studies. Supportive Care in Cancer.
Hou S, et al. Efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression on breast cancer-related upper limb lymphedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis in clinical studies. Gland Surgery. 2024.
Yao M, et al. Comparison of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Pump as Adjunct to Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy Against Decongestive Therapy Alone for Upper Limb Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Breast Care. 2024.
Intermittent pneumatic compression devices for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema—a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Pneumatic compression therapy is not appropriate for every patient. Patients should consult their physician or other qualified healthcare provider about lymphedema symptoms and before starting or changing any treatment program.
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