Medical Intel

Lymphedema can cause painful, uncomfortable arm swelling for people who have been treated for breast cancer. Dr. David Song discusses how we can reduce or eliminate these symptoms with advanced surgery.     TRANSCRIPT Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine. In today’s episode, we talk to Dr. David Song, Regional Chief for MedStar Plastic Surgery and a nationally recognized specialist in treating people who have lymphedema. Lymphedema is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the body causing pain and swelling in the areas where the fluid builds up. About 20 percent of patients diagnosed with breast cancer will develop lymphedema. Compression garments, physical therapy and massage techniques used to be the only treatment options for lymphedema symptoms. Now we can treat the root cause with surgery, and Dr. Song is one of the only doctors in Washington D.C. and the ea