18523 Corwin Rd.
Apple Valley, CA  92307		 Victor Valley Advanced Imaging - (760) 242-4444 PH: (760) 242-4444
FX: (760) 242-7288

 

Contact Form

 

What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is an abnormal accumulation of high protein fluid in the arm following removal of the under arm (axillary) lymph nodes. The initial symptoms are usually hand and arm swelling. Other symptoms may include a feeling of tightness, heaviness or burning. In most cases the swelling is painless. However, sometimes the hand or even the entire arm can be become red, swollen and painful. This condition requires immediate medical attention, and usually responds dramatically to antibiotic treatment.

What causes Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is caused by obstruction to lymphatic flow. The lymphatic system is designed to return protein rich fluid back to the general circulation. Along the course of the lymphatic channels are lymph nodes which filter out products (including cancer cells) from the lymph fluid. In breast cancer treatment the lymph nodes under the arm are frequently removed to determine if the cancer has spread (see link to Treatment and reconstruction….surgery). The removal of these under arm (axillary) lymph nodes may cause obstruction to the lymphatic channels. As a result protein rich fluids leaks out into the surrounding tissues which can eventually lead to hand and arm swelling. Radiation therapy done to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence can increase the potential for developing lymphedema.

Fortunately, lymphedema is becoming less common because lymph node removal is becoming less traumatic. In the past all of the lymph nodes were removed from under the arm to determine the extent of the spread of a breast cancer. Now we only remove the first draining node(s). There are still patients who require removal of all their under arm lymph nodes, and these patients can develop lymphedema even several years following lymph node surgery.

What is the Treatment?
If a woman notes hand or arm swelling following lymph node surgery for breast cancer, she should first be seen by her physician to make sure she does not have a recurrence. If the physician's examination is negative (which it usually is) she should then be referred to a lymphedema treatment center.

Proper treatment includes a form of massage therapy called Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD). Following massage, the therapist wraps the affected extremity in bandages to maintain the reduction obtained with massage. Exercises and skin care instructions are included in a comprehensive treatment program. During the course of treatment, the patient and a partner are trained in self-care. There is no cure for this condition so lifelong maintenance is important to control the symptoms of lymphedema. Patients with lymphedema are at an increased risk of infection because of the high protein content of the fluid provides the perfect media for bacteria to flourish. It is important for patients to recognize any signs of infection and to start antibiotic treatment as soon as possible.

What is Our Approach to Lymphedema at the Breast Care Center?
Jan West R.N. has taken a leadership role in helping our patients who are risk for lymphedema or have symptoms of lymphedema. Her women at risk program which meets on a regular basis help women who have had or are planning to have lymph node surgery better understand the issue of lymphedema. Jan also has as a regularly scheduled lymphedema support group that provides extensive information on various aspects of lymphedema and also provides a series of expert speakers. For more information on Jan's program call: 714 541-0101

Other Sources of information:
The National Lymphedema Network (800-541-3259) provides a newsletter that enables patients and healthcare providers to share experiences and information about lymphedema.

Helpful web-sites:
National Lymphedema Network: http://www.lymphnet.org
Lymphedema Awareness Foundation: http://www.Lymphaware.org
Living with Lymphedema: http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/lymphlive.html
Lymphatic Research Foundation: http://www.lymphaticresearch.org
Academy of Lymphatic Studies: http://www.acols.com

 


We Proudly Support
the Fight Against
Breast Cancer

 

 

 

Home | About Us | Services | Breast Conditions | Locations | Contact Us

 

Here is a partial list of some of the services we offer:
MRI, MRA, CT, Ultrasound, Vascular Ultrasound, PET/CT, Nuclear Med, Nuclear Cardio, X-Ray, Open MRI, Fluoro, Arthrograms, Mammography, Breast Ultrasound, DEXA, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgery, Helical CT, MR Angiography, High Field MRI, Orange County, Mission Viejo, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, community, Southern California, California, orthopedic, sports medicine, bone fracture, Bone Density, Bone Densitometer, Osteoporosis, GE Lunar, broken bones, hip, knee, carpel tunnel, spine, back, Radiology, Diagnostics Imaging, Digital Breast MRI, Breast Biopsy, iCAD, DynaCAD, MRI CAD, Mammo CAD, Women's, Women's Imaging, Breast Cancer Screening
Here is partial list of some of the areas we service:
Los Angeles County:
Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Arcadia, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Big Pines, Burbank, Carson, Century City, Cerritos, Chatsworth, China Town, City of Industry, Claremont, Commerce, Compton, Covina, Culver City, Downtown LA, Downey, Eagle Rock, El Monte, El Segundo, Encino, Gardena, Glendale, Glendora, Granada Hills, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Highland Park, Hollywood, Inglewood, Irwindale, Japan Town, Korea Town, La Canada/Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Habra, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lenox, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Los Nietos, Lynwood, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Monterey Park, Montrose, Northridge, Norwalk, Palmdale, Palos Verdes Estates, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Reseda, Rolling Hills Estates, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Signal Hill, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, Valinda, Van Nuys, Ventura County, Verdugo City, Walnut, West Covina, West Hollywood, Westlake Village, Westwood, Whittier and all other cities and communities of Los Angeles County.

Orange County:
Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Balboa Island, Brea, Buena Park, Capistrano Beach, Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Cowan Heights, Cypress, Dana Point, El Modena, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Leisure World, Lemon Heights, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Modjeska Canyon, Newport Beach, Orange, Orange Park Acres, Placentia, Rancho San Margarita, Rossmoor, San Clemente, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Silverado Canyon, Stanton, Sunset Beach, Surfside, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda and all other cities and communities of Orange County.

San Bernardino County:
Adelanto, Apple Valley, Argus, Baker, Barstow, Big Bear, Bloomington, Chino, Chino Hills, Cima, Colton, Daggett, Devore, Earp, El Mirage, Etiwanda, Essex, Fawnskin, Fontana, Forest Falls, Grand Terrace, Harvard, Helendale, Hesperia, Highland, Hinkley, Hodge, Ivanpaw, Joshua Tree, Kelso, Landers, Lenwood, Loma Linda, Lucerne Valley, Ludlow, Montclair, Morongo Valley, Muscoy, Needles, Ontario, Oro Grande, Phelan, Pinon Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, Running Springs, San Bernardino, Twenty Nine Palms, Upland, Victorville, Wrightwood, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley and all other cities and communities of San Bernardino County.

Riverside County:
Anza, Arlington, Banning, Beaumont, Blythe, Cabazon, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Cherry Valley, Coachella, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Edgemont, El Cerrito, Gilman, Glen Avon, Glenn Valley, Hemet, High Grove, Home Gardens, Homeland, Hot Springs, Idyllwild, Indian Wells, Indio, La Sierra, Lake Elsinore, Lakeview, La Quinta, Mecca, Mead Valley, Meadow Brook, Mira Loma, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Murrieta Hot Springs, Norco, Nuevo, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Perris, Quail Valley, Riverside, Rancho Mirage, Ripley, Rubidoux, Sage, San Jacinto, Sun City, Temecula, Temescal Canyon, Thousand Palms, Valle Vista, White Water, Winchester and all other cities and communities of Riverside County.

Imperial County:
Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Westmorland and all other cities and communities of Imperial County.

Ventura County:
Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Buenaventura, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and all other cities and communities of Ventura County. 

As well as the following zip-codes: 91302 Calabasas, Hidden Hills, 91304 west hills, 91307 west hills, 91303 Woodland Hills, 91311 Chatsworth, 91312 Chatsworth, 91313 Chatsworth, 91316 Encino, 91324 Northridge, 91325 Northridge, 91326 Northridge, 91327 Northridge, 91328 Northridge, 91329 Northridge, 91330 Northridge, 91356 Tarzana, 91357 Tarzana, 91364 Woodland Hills, 91365 Woodland Hills, 91367 Woodland Hills, 91371 Woodland Hills, 91372 Woodland hills, 91399 Calabasas, 91401 Sherman Oaks, 91411 Sherman Oaks, 91413 Sherman Oaks, 91423 Sherman Oaks, 91495 Sherman Oaks, Plumbing, Burbank (91501,91502,91503, 91504, 91505, 91506, 91507, 91508, 91510, 91521, 91522, 91523, 91526) North Hills 91393, Granada Hills 91394, Mission Hills 91395, Canoga Park 91396, Van Nuys (91404, 91405, 91406, 91407, 91408, 91409, 91410, 91426, 91436, 91470, 91482,91496, 91497,91499) Reseda 91335, 91337, 91343 North Hills, 91344 Granada Hills, 91346 mission hills, Studio City 91607, Universal City 91608, Studio City 91614, Universal City 91618, North Hollywood (91601, 91602, 91603, 91604, 91605, 91606, 91609, 91610, 91611, 91612, 91615, 91616, 91617, Santa Clarita, 91310, 91321, 91322, 91350, 91351, 91354, 91355, 91380, 91381, 91382, 91383, 91384, 91385, 91386, 91387, 91390, Valencia, 91354, 91355, 91380, 91385, Saugus, 91350, 91390, Newhall, 91321, 91322, 91381, 91382, Stevenson Ranch, 91381, Stevensons Ranch, Stevenson's Ranch, Thousand Oaks, 91319, 91320, 91358, 91359, 91360, 91361, 91362, 91363, Agoura Hills, 91301, 91376, 91377, Westlake Village, 91359, 91361, 91362, 91363, Oak Park, 91301, 91377, Simi Valley, CA:93062, 93063, 93064, 93065, 93093, 93094, 93099, Moorpark, CA:93020, 93021