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About this service
The Lymphoedema Service at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, provides specialist assessment and treatment for children and adults with lymphoedema of any cause, and women with lipoedema. We accept patients from any part of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The Lymphoedema service is provided by experienced Healthcare Professionals with specialist qualifications in lymphoedema management, with the support of a Lymphoedema Technician. We will see patients with oedema that has been present for more than three months or is related to cancer and its treatment.
Following assessment we are able to provide a range of treatments tailored to the individual patient, alongside self-management techniques. Our aim is to improve the lymphoedema and help patients to understand their condition and learn how to manage it themselves.
What to expect at your first appointment
Your initial appointment will be between one and two hours. You will be seen by one of the Lymphoedema Clinicians who will assess you and aim to give a diagnosis. You will be asked to undress so that the therapist can examine both the swollen and the adjoining area.
You may be asked to get onto a couch to enable the therapist to assess you. If you have difficulty getting in and out of a chair or bed, or need special equipment to help you, please let the clinic know before you come to your appointment.
If you think you would like someone else to be present, you are welcome to bring a friend, family member or carer or ask us to provide a chaperone for you.
At the end of your initial assessment we will agree a treatment plan. We’ll rarely start treatment at this initial appointment and you’ll need to return to the clinic for further appointments.
Patient Support Groups
CLLASS Cornwall Lymphoedema and Lipoedema for Activity, Social Support
The aims of CLLASS are supporting one another, fundraising, socialising and education. For further information please contact cllasscornwall@gmail.com.
Lipoedema
Contact information
- Telephone: 01872 252601
- Email: rch-tr.lymphoedema@nhs.net
Where to find us
The Lymphoedema Service is situated in the Therapy department on the second floor of the Princess Alexandra Wing (Maternity) at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.
Information about Lymphoedema
The following embedded content is supplied by the NHS website nhs.uk
Lymphoedema
For more information on lymphoedema, you may find this short video useful.
Further information
General lymphoedema information
- What is lymphoedema?
- Lymphoedema Service (RCHT 1535)
- Lymphoedema Service – Obesity related lymphoedema (RCHT1637)
- A series of videos which includes: Lymphoedema and Lipoedema
- Leg Lymphoedema – a series of videos on living with and managing it
- Lymphoedema your questions answered
- Currently the only surgery for Lymphoedema supported by the NHS is Liposuction and this requires exceptional funding. The surgical options for lymphoedema are detailed here.
- NICE guideline: Liposuction for chronic lymphoedema
Treatment and self-management
Websites with information on Lymphoedema
- Lymphoedema Support Network
- Information from Breast Cancer Care
- Information from Macmillan Cancer Support
- Lymphoedema information on NHS Choices
- British Lymphology Society
- MLD UK (Professional association of manual lymphatic drainage practitioners).
Lymphoedema after breast cancer
Head and neck Lymphoedema
Genital Lymphoedema
Exercise, healthy eating, and Lymphoedema
- Lymphoedema Service – Exercise and lymphoedema RCHT1636
- Tripudio flow exercises to aid lymphatic drainage
- Exercises for legs and feet
- Movement to Music
- Exercises for arm and leg lymphoedema
- A series of videos which includes: Exercise and Healthy Eating
- Cornwall healthy weight and exercise services
- Lymphoedema Service – Lipoedema (RCHT1694)
Information about Lipoedema
The following embedded content is supplied by the NHS website nhs.uk
Lipoedema
Further information
Websites with information on Lipoedema
- Lipoedema UK
- Talk Lipoedema
- Lipoedema information on NHS Choices
- British Lymphology Society
- MLD UK (Professional association of manual lymphatic drainage practitioners).
- International Lipoedema Association
- Lipoedema fact sheet
- Managing pain in Lipoedema
- NICE guideline: Liposuction for chronic lipoedema
Information about Cellulitis in Lymphoedema
What is Cellulitis?
If you have lymphoedema, the build-up of fluid in your tissues makes you more vulnerable to infection and your lymphatic system, in the affected area, does not function adequately to fight infection. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deep layer of skin (dermis) that often affects people with lymphoedema. Cellulitis can also sometimes cause lymphoedema.
Symptoms of cellulitis can include:
- redness and a feeling of heat in the skin
- pain and increased swelling in the affected area or in the armpit or groin
- a high temperature (fever) or chills
- flu like symptoms
Cellulitis rarely affects both legs at the same time, this may be a syndrome called Red Legs. For more information on Red Legs please see the British Lymphology Society Red Leg Pathway.
What should I do if I develop cellulitis?
- Contact your doctor immediately as you will need antibiotic treatment. For information on the type of antibiotics used in the treatment of cellulitis in lymphoedema, see the Cellulitis Consensus Document available from this page. You can take this to your GP to help them to treat you
- Remove all compression garments until the area feels better and they can be tolerated again. Once the affected area is comfortable you should resume wear.
- Suspend other forms of treatment such as Lymphatic Drainage and exercise programmes until your symptoms have responded to antibiotic
- Elevate the affected limb
- The recommended pain relief is Paracetamol
Following an episode of cellulitis
If you feel your lymphoedema is worse or your compression garment no longer fits, following the resolution of the infection, then please contact the lymphoedema clinic for advice.
Patient Information (Leaflets)
Page last reviewed: 17 May 2023
