Understanding lymphoedema in advanced disease in a palliative care setting.

Lymphoedema in the palliative patient can be very distressing and uncomfortable, and managing this symptom is often difficult and labour intensive. Using a humanistic approach, the practitioner can holistically and sensitively assess the patient's needs and problems and develop a management strategy that ensures these needs are addressed. This requires a high level of skill in assessment, communication, collaborative working, and symptom management. The four basic principles of lymphoedema management are compression, massage, skin care and exercise. These principles are modified and applied on an individual patient basis through the support and collaboration of the team involved in each patient's care.