Complications
In addition to the complications associated with chronic lymphedema noted in
previous sections, a rare but fatal complication of lymphedema is lymphangiosarcoma, a tumor of the lymphatic vessels. The average time between mastectomy and the appearance of lymphangiosarcoma is about 10 years. After a
patient develops lymphangiosarcoma, the average survival time is a little more than
1 year.
The cause of lymphangiosarcoma is not known. It appears as one or more
bluish-red bumps on the affected arm or leg. First, one purple-red, slightly
raised area in the skin of the arm or leg appears. The patient usually
describes it as a bruise. Later, more tumors appear, and the bumps grow.
Death usually results from metastases to the lungs.
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