What is a lymphocele?
A lymphocele is a collection of lymph fluid under your skin that causes a lump or swelling. The fluid can build up in certain areas of your body when there’s damage to your lymphatic system. When it occurs in your pelvic region, for example, it’s called a pelvic lymphocele. Some surgeries can cause lymphoceles when they damage the vessels that carry lymph fluid, but treatments can drain the fluid and stop it from accumulating again.
Penn Medicine’s Center for Lymphatic Diseases and Lymphedema is among only a few centers in the nation dedicated solely to treating conditions of the lymphatic system. Our specialists have more than 25 years of experience using the latest technology to diagnose and treat people with lymphatic disorders. This includes skilled interventional radiologists who perform advanced, minimally invasive procedures to precisely target and treat lymphoceles. We also provide ongoing care to monitor your progress.
What a lymphocele feels like
Small lymphoceles may have no symptoms. If you have a larger lymphocele, your symptoms may include:
- A soft, movable lump under your skin
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in the area
Causes of lymph fluid buildup
A lymphocele forms when there’s damage to part of the network of tiny vessels that carry lymph fluid throughout your body, known as the lymphatic system. Lymph fluid collects waste, bacteria, and other substances from your tissues and brings them to your lymph nodes to be filtered out.
The most common cause of damage to the lymphatic system is surgery, especially if you had a lymph node removed or if surgery affected your lymphatic vessels. Kidney transplants and surgeries to treat gynecological or prostate cancers can cause lymphoceles. Other causes may include radiation therapy or an injury in an area where you have lymphatic vessels.
Testing for lymphoceles
Your doctor will give you a physical exam and check for lymphocele lumps or swelling. Imaging tests can detect fluid collection. Some tests involve injecting a contrast dye to allow your doctor to see the lymphatic vessels.
Lymphocele treatment options
If you have a small lymphocele, your doctor may decide to monitor you to see if it resolves on its own. Larger lymphoceles can be drained using a thin needle (fine-needle aspiration) or a small, flexible tube (catheter drainage). To prevent more lymph fluid from collecting, a solution may be injected, or a minimally invasive procedure may be done. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the lymphocele or repair lymphatic vessels.
Advancing excellence in lymphatic disease care
We’re recognized as a Comprehensive Center of Excellence by the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) for meeting the highest standards of care when treating lymphatic diseases. We also actively research lymphatic diseases and their treatments, putting us at the forefront of the medical advancements that inform your care and help you live well.