Finding the Right Professional Support
Lymphedema is a complex disease that can be difficult to diagnose and treat, requiring a specialized team or treatment in a lymphedema clinic.
Lymphedema is a complex disease that can be difficult to diagnose and treat, requiring a specialized team or treatment in a lymphedema clinic.
When you first notice any signs or symptoms of lymphedema, your general practitioner (GP) or a nurse is usually the one you refer to. The basic diagnostics for lymphedema focus on your medical history and the physical exam of your body. Your GP or a nurse will probably refer you to a specialist for lymphedema to interpret the results or confirm the diagnosis.
Physicians or nurses should have a specific training and the appropriate qualification to diagnose and treat lipedema. Physicians often come from the following specialties:
Your specialist may also initiate advanced diagnostics with imaging techniques that require a radiologist. When your diagnosis is confirmed, your HCP will develop a holistic therapy plan to address your signs and symptoms.
Lymphedema treatment usually requires a team of different specialties that include:
Depending on your disease's severity, your HCP may also refer you to a specialized lymphedema clinic for the first weeks of your treatment. Lymphedema clinics have the advantage that all specialties work together in one place. This can be especially important for lymphedema treatment due to cancer, very old (geriatric) patients, or patients with primary lymphedema.
HCPs from different specialties must work together. Any changes in your signs and symptoms of lymphedema can require a change to your treatment plan. A deep understanding of the disease also helps you notice any changes by yourself and makes it easier to communicate with your HCPs.