Leg LE following breast cancer treatment??!!

[Cassie]

Can anyone tell me if it's possible to develop leg LE from an axillary node dissection? And if so, what's the mechanism that makes it possible and how much of a risk is it? (I'm not talking about women who also have reconstruction procedures that involve their abdomen, or women who have oophrectomies or hysterectomies following bc surgery as part of their treatment -- clearly they're at risk for lower extremity LE. I just mean women who have breast surgery and axillary nodes taken.) A sonogram tech told one of our bc women about a patient who developed leg LE following bc tx, but I'm thinking that's not the whole story.

Thanks for any help you can give me.
Cassie

[RaftingRita]

About your question, I wonder if the woman you are asking about has primary lymphedema -- it usually involves the feet and legs of women.

Another possibility might be lipedema -- it too is found almost exclusively in women and the excess weight on the hips and thighs can also cause lymphedema in the legs.

I always find your posts to be helpful and interesting.

Thank you! Rafting Rita

[Cassie]

Thanks, Rita. I hadn't thought of the lipedema possibility, but it certainly might be magnified the weight gain that sometimes occurs with chemo. A couple of women who heard this tale were feeling something like despair -- like there is just no limit to the LE and it's completely arbitrary. Heaven knows it's bad enough without having to deal with "urban legends" like this. I appreciate your response,
Cassie