What Is Lymphedema?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
6. Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that focuses on directly damaging the cancer cells. It achieves this by directing high energy beams of radiation directly at the cells that need to be destroyed. Although it can be quite effective at the task, it needs to be used sparingly. This is because too much radiation is dangerous for us, and because it will also damage healthy cells.
In some cases, radiotherapy can cause permanent damage to the patients lymphatic system. The type of damage caused can mean that lymph is unable to drain properly, and this can result in lymphedema.
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