Lymphedema

Question 1

What is lymphedema?

Answer 1

Chronic inflammatory lymphostatic disease which typically manifests as swelling in the body (which can lead to skin and tissue changes) due to an increased collection of lymphatic fluid.

Question 2

What is primary lymphedema?

Answer 2

An inherited or congenital condition causes a malformation of the lymphatic system.

Question 3

What are the types of primary lymphedema?

Answer 3

1. Congenital lymphedema
2. Lymphedema praecox (puberty or 30s)
3. Lymphedema tarda (>35 years)

Question 4

What is secondary lymphedema?

Answer 4

Condition caused by insult, injury, or obstruction to the lymphatic system.

Question 5

What are the most common causes of secondary lymphedema?

Answer 5

• Filiariasis (parasite spread by mosquitoes)
• Cancer-related (especially lymph node removal)

*Risk increases with increase in BMI.