Lymphedema

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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Lymphedema Overview
• Lymphedema Causes
• Lymphedema Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Lymphedema Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Lymphedema from Healthwise

Lymphedema Overview

Lymphedema is swelling in one or more of the arms or legs that arises due to damage or poor function of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that course throughout the body to collect excess fluid as well as waste products. The fluid is filtered at the lymph nodes, which are important in fighting infection and are a key part of the lymphatic system. Eventually, the excess fluid removed from the tissues is drained into the bloodstream.

Lymphedema most commonly affects one of the extremities only, but in some cases both arms or both legs are affected. Estimates suggest that 140 to 250 million people worldwide suffer from lymphedema.

Lymphedema Causes

Lymphedema may be classified as primary or secondary.

Primary lymphedema

Lymphedema can occur due to a defect in the function of the lymphatic system, although this is not common. In this situation, the lymphedema is referred to as primary lymphedema. Depending upon when in life the signs and symptoms develop, primary lymphedema is termed congenital lymphedema (present from the time of birth), lymphedema praecox, or Meige disease. Milroy disease is a one specific type of primary lymphedema that is inherited in a sex-linked genetic pattern.

Secondary lymphedema

Much more commonly, lymphedema occurs because of damage or destruction of a lymphatic system that was previously functioning normally (secondary lymphedema). The most common cause of lymphedema in the U.S. is breast cancer surgery, especially in combination with radiation therapy, which can cause lymphedema of the arm on the side of the body affected by the cancer. Other surgeries, such as vein stripping, peripheral vascular surgery, scar excisions, or any procedure that potentially damages lymph nodes and vessels can result in lymphedema.

Worldwide, filariasis is the most common cause of lymphedema. Filariasis is infestation of lymph nodes by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti, which is transmitted among humans by mosquitoes. Filariasis is a significant public health problem affecting millions in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, the Western Pacific, and parts of Central and South America. In people suffering with filariasis, the entire leg, arm, or genital area may swell to several times its normal size, causing long-term disability.

Other conditions characterized by damage to lymph nodes can also cause lymphedema, including infiltration of lymph nodes by cancer or damage due to trauma, burns, radiation, compression, or infection.