Challenges of treating a patient living with lymphoedema and advancing disease

摘要

Lymphoedema, a condition of tissue swelling due to fluid retention, is the result of a failure of the lymphatic system and most commonly affects the limbs, but may also affect the head and neck, torso, breast or genitalia. Oedema in advancing disease happens as a direct result of the disease or because of factors relating to the condition. The Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN) (LSN, 2011) suggest thinking of oedema in advancing disease as either: