Late Side Effects

That's true. There's really no set time-frame that lymphedema can show up, if ever. So many variables play a role in the possibility of developing lymphedema that one really doesn't know if and when it can occur. But being cautious with the limb that had the lymph node removal is quite important.

My lymphedema "reared it's ugly head" directly after my reconstructive surgery. The night of my surgery, I noticed I had swelling in my left hand. My plastic surgeon was well aware of the fact that I had lymph node removal during the mastectomy (since he was also part of that surgery.) Truthfully, I didn't think too much about it. I wrote it off as an after effect from the anesthesia. The swelling subsided, but then a short time later, it returned. This time I noticed my forearm was beginning to swell. My oncologist also noted the swelling that I was developing and suggested that I see a physical therapist to rule out lymphedema. Well, the rest is history. So, for approximately 4 years, I've been learning to "manage" my lymphedema along the "do's and dont's" of keeping a healthy arm.
That's true. There's really no set time-frame that lymphedema can show up, if ever. So many variables play a role in the possibility of developing lymphedema that one really doesn't know if and when it can occur. But being cautious with the limb that had the lymph node removal is quite important.

My lymphedema "reared it's ugly head" directly after my reconstructive surgery. The night of my surgery, I noticed I had swelling in my left hand. My plastic surgeon was well aware of the fact that I had lymph node removal during the mastectomy (since he was also part of that surgery.) Truthfully, I didn't think too much about it. I wrote it off as an after effect from the anesthesia. The swelling subsided, but then a short time later, it returned. This time I noticed my forearm was beginning to swell. My oncologist also noted the swelling that I was developing and suggested that I see a physical therapist to rule out lymphedema. Well, the rest is history. So, for approximately 4 years, I've been learning to "manage" my lymphedema along the "do's and dont's" of keeping a healthy arm.

Cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery) may result in late side effects (side effects that appear after treatment has ended). Some examples are:

Chemotherapy
- Cataracts
- Infertility
- Liver problems
- Lung disease
- Reduced lung capacity
- Osteoporosis
- Secondary primary cancers

Radiation therapy
- Cataracts
- Cavities and tooth decay
- Heart problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Infertility
- Lung disease
- Intestinal problems
- Memory problems
- Secondary primary cancers

Surgery
- Lymphedema Cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery) may result in late side effects (side effects that appear after treatment has ended). Some examples are:

Chemotherapy
- Cataracts
- Infertility
- Liver problems
- Lung disease
- Reduced lung capacity
- Osteoporosis
- Secondary primary cancers

Radiation therapy
- Cataracts
- Cavities and tooth decay
- Heart problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Infertility
- Lung disease
- Intestinal problems
- Memory problems
- Secondary primary cancers

Surgery
- Lymphedema

Side effects may be classified in three ways:
- Acute (short-term) effects occur during chemotherapy. These are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, head aches and so on.
- Chronic (long-term) side effects occur during chemotherapy and may or may not be permanent. Some examples include chronic fatigue, liver problems, and heart failure.
- Late effects (also called long-term late side effects) appear a few weeks after the treatment has ended to even few years after the treatment. There is no way to tell if or when these side effects will appear. Some examples include cataracts, heart problems, infertility, etc. Side effects may be classified in three ways:
- Acute (short-term) effects occur during chemotherapy. These are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, head aches and so on.
- Chronic (long-term) side effects occur during chemotherapy and may or may not be permanent. Some examples include chronic fatigue, liver problems, and heart failure.
- Late effects (also called long-term late side effects) appear a few weeks after the treatment has ended to even few years after the treatment. There is no way to tell if or when these side effects will appear. Some examples include cataracts, heart problems, infertility, etc.