Lymphedema — a buildup of extracellular fluid that occurs when the body’s lymphatic channels are obstructed or missing — can be an unfortunate side effect of surgery for cancer, often causing swelling in the arms or legs.
At the University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Surgery and its partner hospital system UCHealth, advanced treatment methods for lymphedema have led to a longtime Comprehensive Network of Excellence in Lymphatic Disease designation from the Lymphatic Education & Research Network. The status was renewed in December 2025.
We spoke with Katie Egan, MD, assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery, about the designation and what it means for surgery to prevent and treat lymphedema.