Lymphoedema Treatment and Management Services at SALHN
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is a chronic swelling of part of the body. Most commonly it occurs as a side effect of cancer treatment when lymph nodes have been removed or damaged causing lymph fluid to build up in tissue under the skin. The most common sites are the arms, chest and breast (associated with breast cancers) and legs and genital areas (associated with bowel, prostate and other lower body cancers). Treatment for the swelling called lymphoedema revolves around an accurate assessment, and appropriate garment fitting and a special massage program.
Lymphoedema Clinic
Outpatient service located in the Physiotherapy Department, Level 1 Flinders Medical Centre which provides patients in the SALHN catchment area with lymphoedema treatment options, as well as access to compression garments via the garment subsidy scheme if eligible.
Services
- Lymphoedema assessment with an initial 1:1 consultation
- Patient education on lymphoedema management
- Advice re therapy options
- Self-management strategies
- Compression therapy including prescription of compression garments and intermittent compression pumps
For further information including referral details, visit Lymphoedema Clinic page.
Lymphoedema Clinical Research Unit
Research relating to lymphoedema is coordinated by the Lymphoedema Clinical Research Unit which has a holistic approach to assessing and managing lymphoedemas and other oedemas.
Treatment services are not currently provided within the clinical research unit unless associated with clinical trials.
The Clinic runs a range of Clinical Trials from time to time and you may be eligible to participate in them. See details below on how to contact us about them. Current trials are related to secondary arm lymphoedemas following breast cancer surgery and radiotherapy.
For further information, visit Lymphoedema Clinical Research Unit page.