St. Vincent's Lymphoedema Service
St Vincent's Hospital
St Vincent's Hospital runs a service specifically for patients with primary and secondary lymphoedema, including a fortnightly assessment clinic, weekly treatment clinic, and fortnightly multidisciplinary meetings.The service is accessible by eligible patients with swelling involving upper limb lymphoedema or lower limb lymphoedema; cancer-related lymphoedema resulting from surgery or radiotherapy; breast oedema; secondary lymphoedema resulting from limb trauma; primary lymphoedema; known vascular anomalies; and who are able to participate in a self-management program.The service is not available for patients with head and neck cancer; genital oedema; deep vein thrombosis (DVT); venous lymphoedema; leg swelling resulting from morbid obesity; lymphoedema resulting from uncontrolled cardiac conditions or renal disease; thyroid-related oedema; lymphoedema secondary to lipoedema; and palliative patients if unable to engage in self-management. Lymphoedema is the regional accumulation of excessive amounts of protein-rich fluid in the body tissue causing swelling. Secondary lymphoedema may occur following treatment for cancer, including surgery or radiotherapy, if the lymphatic system is damaged. Primary lymphoedema occurs due to a congenital abnormality of the lymphatic system.