Sociological factors and psychosocial implications of lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema can affect many patients with cancer, either as a result of treatment or in the advanced stages of disease. This article outlines some of the sociological and psychosocial factors that were found to be significant in the management of arm swelling. Older and working women were found to have significantly larger swollen arms. Arm size also increased when swelling had been present for a greater period. The psychosocial implications of lymphoedema appeared to be complex and unique to the individual.