Videos for Survivors

Video: About Lymphedema and its Causes

Runtime

5:00

Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid (lymph stasis) that causes an abnormal swelling of an extremity. Jeannette Zucker, a physical therapist and lymphedema specialist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, gives an overview of the causes of lymphedema, including cancer treatment.

Speaker(s)

Jeannette Zucker

Playlist(s)

Day to Day Coping with Lymphedema

abnormal (ab-NOR-mul)

Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancer, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign (not cancer).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

extremity (ek-STREH-mih-tee)

A limb of the body, such as the arm or leg.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

fluid (FLOO-id)

A substance that flows smoothly and takes the shape of its container. Liquids and gases are fluids.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lymphedema (LIM-fuh-DEE-muh)

A condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling. It may occur in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged, or removed by surgery.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

physical therapist (FIH-zih-kul THAYR-uh-pist)

A health professional who teaches exercises and physical activities that help condition muscles and restore strength and movement.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

specialist (SPEH-shuh-list)

In medicine, a doctor or other health care professional who is trained and licensed in a special area of practice. Examples of medical specialists include oncologists (cancer specialists) and hematologists (blood specialists).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)