Lymphedema is a disorder of the lymphatic system’s circulation, marked by the accumulation of lymph fluid, often in the form of swelling in the arm or legs that occurs when the lymph vessels or lymph nodes are blocked or removed.
Who Is At Risk?
The onset of Lymphedema is associated with complications arising from cancer treatment, surgeries, or radiation therapy.
Women - are at risk of developing Lymphedema in their arms following surgery or radiation therapy for breast cancer, or in their legs following treatment for gynecological surgery (ie.,cervical, uterine, etc. cancer). Swelling in the lower extremities may also be due to poor circulation / chronic venous insufficiency.
Men are at risk of developing Lymphedema in their legs following surgery for prostate or testicular cancer. In rare cases of breast cancer, the arms may be affected. Swelling in the lower extremities may also be due to poor circulation / chronic venous insufficiency.
Both men and women may be at risk following treatment of kidney, lymphatic, or malignant melanomas (skin cancer) with lymph node dissection and/ or radiation therapy involving an arm, hand, leg, foot, or trunk.
What Causes Lymphedema
The cause is fundamentally unknown, but there are identifiable circumstances associated with the onset of the condition.
Types of Lymphedema:
Primary Lymphedema (inborn) can be present at birth (congenital), can occur during adolescence (Milroy’s Disease) or can occur after the age of 35.
Secondary Lymphedema (acquired) can be triggered in an otherwise Lymphedema free person by surgery/radiation therapy for cancer, a traumatic injury, or an infection.
Secondary Lymphedema is far more common than Primary. In equatorial regions of the world, most cases of Lymphedema result from infections associated with complications following treatment for cancers. Other causes of secondary Lymphedema include trauma, tuberculosis and iatrogenic injury: subcutaneous injections of drugs (such as pentazocine) may also injure the lymphatics and induce this disorder. Lymphedema can be a temporary or chronic condition. Chronic Lymphedema is seen most commonly in cancer patients and Primary conditions.
What Are The Symptoms of Lymphedema
Lymphedema usually begins in the hands or feet. Anyone who notices persistent swelling in an extremity should seek medical advice. If Lymphedema is diagnosed and if treatment begins early, the prognosis for improvement of the condition is much greater than if the swelling is ignored and remains untreated.
Is Lymphedema Curable?
There is no cure for Lymphedema; however, effective treatment is available.
What happens if Lymphedema is not treated:
Chronic Lymphedema is a progressive condition that must be treated at the onset. If untreated, Lymphedema can lead to the following:
- Increased limb swelling, reduced range of motion in the extremity and/or surrounding joints, permanent disfigurement
- Limb heaviness, fungal/bacterial infections common (usually diagnosed as cellulitis)
- Progressive lymphatic destruction can cause thrombosis of lymph vessels
- Recurrent lymphangitis leading to lymphadenitis, bacteremia
- Progressive reduction of lymphatic and vascular circulation
- Lymphatic destruction, thrombosis of lymphatic vessels
- Cellulitis, such as erysipelas
- Chronic skin ulcerations (such as hyperkeratosis, fissuring, etc.)
- Tissue necrosis, gangrene, amputation(due to poor circulation)
But Lymphedema can be treated, managed and controlled.
LE can occur immediately or 20 years or more after cancer therapy or trauma or if genetic. With proper education and care, LE can be avoided or well managed. Carefully review and apply the instructions below to your at-risk or affected quadrant/s and discuss them with your physician or certified lymphatics therapist
How is Lymphedema treated?
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) can control Lymphedema. CDT has been utilized for decades in Europe and recently within the larger U.S. cities. It is certifiably the most effective and physiological treatment for Lymphedema available today. When performed by well-trained professionals, the results are consistently superior to those achieved by surgery or pneumatic pumps. Being non-invasive, CDT requires no anesthesia, no additional surgery and no risk to the patient. The uniqueness of CDT is that it decongests the whole lymph system by Manual Lymph Drainage of the trunk before any attempt is made to decongest the swollen limb or affected area. Decongesting the lymphatic system opens up alternative lymph vessels which can then receive lymph fluid. Once the whole system is decongested the lymph fluid in the swollen area is directed gently and gradually into a circulatory system that is now ready and able to handle it.
Over time, the situation continues to improve. The lymph vessels dilate and carry larger volumes of lymph fluid from the limb or affected area. In addition, CDT/Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is able to soften areas of scaring and hardening that may have previously developed in the limb of affected area.
