Lymphedema after cancer treatment: what NCI says about certified lymphedema therapists
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) describes a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT) as “a physical or occupational therapist trained to treat lymphedema,” says complete decongestive therapy “is managed by a CLT,” and says working with a CLT “is often the best way to manage and cope with lymphedema.” This page quotes NCI’s patient page only. The CLT-LANA credential is on its own page.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical, legal, or billing advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Source read on November 12, 2026: NCI’s Lymphedema and Cancer Treatment page (updated March 6, 2024).
How cancer causes lymphedema
NCI states: “Anything that blocks or changes the flow of lymph fluid in the body can cause lymphedema.” On breast cancer: “Treatment for breast cancer often involves surgery that removes one or more lymph nodes in the underarm area, increasing the risk of lymphedema.” And: “Lymphedema can occur anywhere in the body, but it most commonly affects an arm or leg.”
Treatment and the CLT
NCI states: “Your health care team will talk with you about management techniques that can be done at home or under the supervision of a trained professional such as a nurse or a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT), a physical or occupational therapist trained to treat lymphedema.”
On compression: “Your nurse or CLT will help you find garments that fit properly and will show you how to use them.” On drainage: “Lymphatic drainage is part of a treatment called complete decongestive therapy, which is managed by a CLT. Complete decongestive therapy may also include bandaging, exercises, and skin care to manage symptoms.”
Lowering risk at home
NCI’s list includes “Learn manual lymph drainage techniques from your CLT that you can do at home.” and, on exercise: “Exercise is a natural pump for the lymph system.” It says compression garments should be worn “daily when you are up and moving around and at night as advised by your CLT.”
Among NCI’s suggested questions for the care team: “If I am diagnosed with lymphedema, is there a certified lymphedema therapist I could meet with?”
Coping
NCI states: “Working with a CLT is often the best way to manage and cope with lymphedema.”
NCI’s page does not name a certifying organization, and this page does not say which CLT credential NCI means.
What this page does not do
It does not repeat NCI’s surgery and laser sections. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, or product. Scope of practice for each profession is set by state law; check your state board.