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Squamous Cell Vulvar Cancer: Who out there has this cancer?
Gynecologic Cancers | Last Active: Dec 15 4:51pm | Replies (282)Comment receiving replies
So it sounds like there is no way to avoid .lymphedema. I had no idea. Thanks for the info. #cancersucks!!!!!!
Replies to "So it sounds like there is no way to avoid .lymphedema. I had no idea. Thanks..."
@bobette1 Before my surgery for endometrial cancer I had a long conversation with my surgeon about lymphedema. She did not bring it up - I did. During surgery she did a sentinel node procedure and removed a few lymph nodes on either side to check for cancer. These came back negative so no other lymph nodes were removed. Had any of these shown cancer she would have removed all of the lymph nodes in the pelvic area and then lymphedema could have been a consequence. Is there a way to avoid lymphedema? Maybe there is as it could depend on which and how many lymph nodes are removed.
It sounds like from what you wrote that that the lymph nodes were suspect for cancer also so these were removed. Is that an accurate assumption? All of the tissue removed during surgery would have been sent to pathology including the lymph nodes and checked for cancer. So the pathology report will tell your surgeon where the cancer was found and then the surgeon can tell you that.
Not everyone experiences lymphedema. There are treatment options and one that I've heard of is massage by a massage therapist who is trained and certified in lymph drainage and edema. Here is a good description of treatments by Mayo Clinic.
Lymphedema
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374687
Does this help?
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Not everyone gets it.
I do think doctors should make you aware of this.
It’s an inconvenience but better than the alternative. 😁