Lymphedema is a disease marked by chronic swelling in a portion of the body due to accumulation of lymph fluid. The swelling may occur in the arms, legs, trunk, abdomen, head or neck, or external genitalia. In the U.S., most patients develop lymphedema following surgery and/or radiation therapy for various cancers such as breast, uterine, prostate, bladder, lymphoma, and melanoma. Other patients develop it without obvious cause at different stages of life. Still others develop lymphedema after trauma, blood dots, or circulation problems.

The therapists at Georgia Cancer Center are lymphedema specialists with Lymphology Association of North America certification, the highest standard ensuring best quality of care. They are experts in the field of lymphedema and oncology rehabilitation with over 20 years' experience.

Many cancer survivors experience an array of adverse physical side effects of cancer treatment. These include:

• Lymphedema
• Loss of range of motion
• Pain
• Scarring
• Impaired balance
• Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN)
• Decreased strength
• Loss of fine motor function
• "Chemo brain" or problems with attention, concentration, and memory

Survivors should not be expected to accept their "new normal". Many of these physical side effects are able to be rehabilitated. Our Lymphedema Care service provides occupational therapy to improve quality of life and restore function.

Referrals

To learn more about our lymphedema and oncology rehabilitation services, including access to these services, email Hari Kashyap or call 706-721-0593. You will need to fax a signed physician order/referral to the Lymphedema Clinic with the patient's demographics, insurance information and pertinent medical history to our call center at 706-721-1459 or 706-721-4770.

Board Certified Specialists

Georgia Cancer Center has two dietitians, both of which are Board Certified Specialists in Oncology Nutrition. Our dietitians specialize in helping cancer patients and their caregivers develop an individualized plan for good nutrition. In addition to minimizing treatment related side effects, proper nutrition can improve overall survival. 

Conditions We Help You Manage

The following are common topics that our dietitians can help manage:

• Dry or sore mouth
• Nausea & vomiting
• Constipation
• Painful swallowing or swallowing difficulties
• Unplanned weight loss or weight gain
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Weight management
• Taste changes
• Decreased appetite
• Food safety
• Dehydration
• Tube feeding management
• Diet and cancer prevention

Locations

Individual sessions with the dietitian can be provided in the following Georgia Cancer Center locations:

• Outpatient Services Clinic
• Infusion Suite
• Radiation Therapy Center
• Downtown Clinic

To learn more about our nutrition program or to request an appointment with one of our dietitians, ask your doctor or nurse navigator for a referral today.

Some cancers can affect a person’s ability to talk or swallow. If you are having difficulty communicating or swallowing, you may need to see a speech therapist. A speech/language pathologist is a speech therapist who evaluates how safe it is for you to swallow different textures of food and liquid. If you are having difficulty with understanding, processing or expressing language, you may also benefit from speech services.

Our speech pathologists provide 6-day/week coverage for inpatients and schedule outpatients Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, contact Sarah Smith by email or by calling 706-721-6009.

It can be difficult to know what to expect after cancer treatment is complete. Many people find that they become more anxious after treatment ends, uncertain about what to expect next, or fearful that their cancer could return. The survivorship clinic is here to address your post-treatment questions and concerns.

In this one-on-one visit, an experienced survivorship nurse practitioner will go through your treatment summary in detail and provide you with a brief document outlining all of the treatment you have received. This specialist will review with you what signs to look out for that may indicate recurrence and what tests may be done to monitor for recurrence. You will be provided with information about what to expect in the long term from your cancer treatment and how often you should schedule a follow-up. This information is also sent to your primary care provider to ensure he/she is up-to-date with your treatment history and post-treatment needs in order to help coordinate your care.