The practice of venepuncture in lymphoedema.

Patients at risk of developing lymphoedema following local treatment for cancer will also have compromised local immunity. Inflammation or infection may be the precipitating factor for the development of chronic swelling. A small group of breast cancer patients, who identified venepuncture as a significant event in the history of their swelling, were examined. Management of these patients includes emphasis on the care of their skin, with the aim of reducing the risk of developing lymphoedema.