Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Center - Pawtucket, RI
Pawtucket Oncologist Doctors for Breast Cancer and LymphedemaType of Physician: Oncologist What is a Oncologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer. Specialty: Oncology (Medical) Common Name: Cancer Doctor Oncologist Doctors in Pawtucket * University Medical Group  The Breast Health Center Pawtucket, Rhode IslandUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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Breast Cancer and LymphedemaRead the Breast Cancer and Lymphedema article » What Is Lymphedema?Lymphedema is an abnormal buildup of fluid that causes swelling, most often in the arms or legs. The condition develops when lymph vessels or lymph nodes are missing, impaired, damaged, or removed. There are two types of lymphedema: primary and secondary. Primary lymphedema is rare and is caused by the absence of, or abnormalities in, certain lymph vessels at birth. Secondary lymphedema occurs as a result of a blockage or interruption that alters the flow of lymph through the lymphatic system and can develop from an infection, cancer, surgery, scar tissue formation, trauma, deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a vein), radiation, or other cancer treatment. Who Is at Risk for Developing Lymphedema?People who have had any of the following procedures may be at risk for developing lymphedema:
Lymphedema can occur within a few days, months, or years after surgery. A small amount of swelling is normal for the first four to six weeks after surgery. What Happens After My Breast Cancer Surgery?Lymphedema develops after breast surgery because there is an alteration in the pathway that drains the fluids involved in the immune system. It can occur at any time after the surgery. If untreated, it can become worse. Following surgery, a physician will examine you and take arm measurements. Sometimes, there may be redness or pain in the arm, which may be a sign of inflammation. Depending on... Recommended Reading Related to Breast Cancer and LymphedemaBreast Cancer and Coping With Stress » What Causes Stress Among Breast Cancer Patients?Stress is common among breast cancer patients. Stressors related to the disease may include the uncertainty of one's future, the unpredictability of disease, disability, and financial difficulties. Common stress signals can include disturbed sleep, fatigue, body aches, pain, anxiety, irritability, tension, and headaches. How Can I Reduce Stress?Stress can build, influencing how you feel about life. Prolonged stress may lead to frustration, anger, hopelessness, and -- at times -- depression. The person with the illness is not the only one affected. Family members are also influenced by the health changes of a loved one. To reduce stress:
Other Related Breast Cancer and Lymphedema ArticlesEmergency Contact for Pawtucket
Nearby Pawtucket Hospitals *Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island The Miriam Hospital  Butler Hospital  Arbour-Fuller Hospital  Providence VA Medical Center  Roger Williams Medical Center  Our Lady of Fatima Hospital  Hasbro Children's Hospital  Rhode Island Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island  Southern New England Rehabilitation Center  St Joseph Health Services  Bradley Hospital  Sturdy Memorial Hospital  Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island  Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center  Landmark Medical Center  Kent Hospital  Taunton State Hospital  Morton Hospital & Medical Center  Charlton Memorial Hospital  Saint Anne's Hospital  Milford Regional Medical Center  Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit  Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton  Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton  Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center  Caritas Norwood Hospital  New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center  Westwood Lodge Hospital  Massachusetts Hospital School  New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital  Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital  Hubbard Regional Hospital  Newport Hospital  Day Kimball Hospital  Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree  Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick  MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital  MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital  Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham  St Luke's Hospital  Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital  Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough  VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus  Milton Hospital  South Shore Hospital  Bournewood Hospital  South County Hospital  Westborough State Hospital  Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged  Quincy Medical Center  Faulkner Hospital  Caritas Carney Hospital  Newton Wellesley Hospital  Massachusetts Mental Health Center  Lemuel Shattuck Hospital  Arbour Hospital  UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus  Worcester State Hospital  Radius Specialty Hospital Boston  UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital  VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus  St Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center  New England Baptist Hospital  UMass Memorial Medical Center Memorial Campus  Brigham & Women's Hospital  Adcare Hospital of Worcester  Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center  Dana Farber Cancer Institute  Kindred Hospital Boston  Children's Hospital Boston  Franciscan Hospital for Children  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Breast Cancer and Lymphedema by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly. They can sometimes be tender, painful or disfiguring. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
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Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein located deep in the muscles of the legs, thighs, pelvis (lower torso), or arms. The most common symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis are swelling and pain in the leg that has the blood clot. A DVT is difficult to diagnose without specific tests in which the deep vein system can be examined.
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Breast Cancer
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
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Cancer
- Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
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Male Breast Cancer
- Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of all breast cancers, and most cases are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. A man's risk of developing breast cancer is one in 1,000. Signs and symptoms include a firm mass located below the nipple and skin changes around the nipple, including puckering, redness or scaling, retraction and ulceration of the nipple. Treatment depends upon staging and the health of the patient.
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Breast
- The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. The ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola. Common medical concerns in regard to the breast include breast lumps, breast cysts, breast cancer, and breast infections.
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Lymphedema
- Lymphedema is a condition in which one or more extremities become swollen as the result of an impaired flow of the lymphatic system. There are two types of lymphedema; primary, secondary. Filariasis is the most common cause of lymphedema worldwide; however, in the U.S. breast cancer surgery is the most common cause. Symptoms include swelling of one or more limbs, thickening, cracked, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections of the skin. There is no cure for lymphedema.
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Paget's Disease of the Nipple
- Paget's disease is a rare form of cancer that forms in or around the nipple and frequently coexists with breast cancer. The exact cause of Paget's disease is unknown. Symptoms include redness, scaling, and flaking of the nipple skin. A biopsy and imaging studies are needed to diagnose the disease. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, and adjuvant therapy.
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Women's Health
- Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
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Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Inflammatory breast cancer is an accelerated form of breast cancer that is not usually detected by mammogram or ultrasound. Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include pain in the breast, skin change in the breast area, bruise on the breast,sudden swelling of the breast, nipple retraction or discharge, and swelling of the lymph nodes.
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Breast Cancer Prevention
- Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
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Breast Cancer in Young Women
- About 5% of cases of breast cancer occur in women under the age of 40 years old. Some risk factors for breast cancer in young women include a personal history of breast cancer or breast disease, family history of breast cancer, prior radiation therapy, and the presence of BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations. Breast self-exams, clinical breast exams, and screening mammograms may help detect breast cancer. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy.
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Breast Cancer Recurrence
- Breast cancer most often recurs within the first three to five years after the initial treatment. Changes in the look, feel, or appearance of the breast may indicate breast cancer recurrence. Factors related to recurrence include tumor size, tumor grade, hormone receptor status, lymph node involvement, and oncogene expression. Treatment for recurrent breast cancer depends on the initial treatment.
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Breast Cancer and Coping With Stress
- Being diagnosed with breast cancer is stressful. Learning relaxation techniques, exercising, eating well, getting adequate sleep, receiving psychotherapy, and maintaining a positive attitude can help you cope. Creating documents, such as an advance directive, living will, and durable power of attorney will outline your wishes in the event that you are no longer able to make decisions regarding your care.
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Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
- Breast cancer occurs in about 1 in every 1,000 pregnant women. Treatment of breast cancer during pregnancy involves surgery, but it is very difficult to protect the baby from the dangerous effects of radiation and chemotherapy. It can be an agonizing to decide whether or not to undergo breast cancer treatment while one is pregnant.
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Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
- Breast cancer clinical trials are research programs designed to evaluate new medical treatments, drugs, or devices for the treatment of breast cancer. Clinical trials are designed to test the safety and efficacy of new treatments as well as assess potential side effects. Clinical trials also compare new treatment to existing treatments to determine if it's any better. There are many important questions to ask your doctor before taking part in a breast cancer clinical trial.
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Swollen Lymph Nodes
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