What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a medical diagnosis describing impairment due to damage to the lymph vessels or lymph nodes. Lymphedema is an excessive chronic swelling of a limb or body part that causes scarring of connective tissue, damaging the skin so that it no longer supports adequate lymph flow, which results in a back-up of lymph fluid in the affected limb. The diagnosis can either be primary, meaning it is congenital, or secondary, meaning you acquired it due to another cause such as cancer treatment, surgery or trauma. There are 4 stages of lymphedema.
Stage 0 is a subclinical condition where swelling is not yet evident, but there is dysfunction in the lymphatic drainage; this condition may exist for months or years prior to the onset of Stage 1.
Stage 1 is the beginning of accumulation of a high-protein fluid and pitting edema in an affected limb that subsides with elevation, and at this stage is reversible.
Stage 2 shows the connective tissue becoming scarred and thickened. Pitting edema is no longer observed. The limb will not return to normal, even with elevation of the limb.
Stage 3 describes further worsening of the condition. The limb in stage 3 presents with large lobular folds and severe skin color and texture changes, such as warty-like overgrowth. Lymphedema is a disfiguring and socially embarrassing condition that causes heaviness in the limb, limited movement, and makes clothes shopping difficult. The condition will become worse without treatment.
The gold standard of care for lymphedema is Complete Decongestive Therapy.
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Lawenda BD, Mondry TE, Johnstone PA. Lymphedema: a primer on the identification and management of a chronic condition in oncologic treatment. CA: Cancer J Clin. 2009;59(1):8-24.