Although Lymphedema has afflicted the population for centuries,
little was understood about the disease. Only in the past
10 to 15 years have clinicians begun to seriously focus on
it's treatment.
The lymphatic system, an offshoot of the circulatory system,
develops embryologically. Fluids and protein, lipids, fat
soluble vitamins, and immune cells circulate within lymphatic
vessels and nodes. If lymphatic drainage is impaired, edema
and protein collect in soft tissues providing a natural medium
for infection.
Lymphodema is the swelling of body parts, most often an extremity,
caused by the abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid.
Primary Lymphedema
Primary cases of Lymphedema occur from idiopathic or
unknown causes. They may be present at birth (lymphedema
congenital), occur later in life (lymphedema praecox)
or develop after age 35 (lymphedema tarda). Some cases
are familial as well as congenital.
Primary Lymphedema is more common in females and occurs
more often in lower extremities.
Causes of Primary Lymphedema:
- Congenital or Hereditary Lymphedema
- Milroy's Disease
- Idiopathic Lymphedema
- Lymphedema Praecox
- Lymphedema Tarda
- Turner's Disease
- Park-Weber Syndrome
- Klipple-Trenaunay Syndrome
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Secondary Lymphedema
Secondary cases of Lymphodema is caused by injury, scarring
or exclusion of the lymphatic vessels - usually as a result
of previous radiation and/or surgery of the lymphatics.
Occasionally, secondary Lymphedema is caused by trauma
or chronic infection of the lymphatic system.
Causes of Secondary Lymphedema:
- Postsurgical Lymphedema from cancer surgery (breast,
prostate, ovarian and uterine)
- DES Daughters
- Traumatic (accidents)
- Burns
- RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
- AIDS
- Nephritis
- Postinflammatory Lymphedema
- Radiotherapy
- Liver Disease
- Filariasis
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Lymphedema and Cancer
As cancer rates increase throughout the world, so does the
incidence of Lymphedema.
Breast or abdominal surgery can result in secondary Lymphedema.
Treatment, such as radiation and/or surgery commonly given
for carcinoma of the breast, uterus, bladder, ovary, prostate
or testicle, as well as other malignant melanomas, can produce
secondary Lymphedema.
Surgical removal of a tumor and the adjacent lymph nodes
and vessels can often block lymph fluid from flowing through
the system. Radiation therapy is one of the leading causes
of secondary Lymphedema. It can damage healthy lymph nodes
and cause scar tissue to form, interrupting the normal flow
of the lymphatic system.
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