What Is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is an accumulation of fluid in the interstitial tissue.Interstitial refers to the space between various tissues in the body. Lymphatic fluid consists of mainly water, bodily waste, dead cells, protein.

There are two types of lymphedema: primary and secondary. Primary lymphedema is caused by a faulty lymphatic system - lymphatic vessels are missing or not up to par. Secondary lymphedema may occur when the lymph vessels are damaged, due to surgery, trauma, and/or radiation.

Just as the circulatory system moves blood throughout the body, the lymphatic system cleanses the body by moving lymphatic fluid through the network of lymph vessels and nodes. When the amount of lymphatic fluid is greater than the transport capabilities of the lymphatic system, too much lymph fluid collects in the tissues. If this is untreated, the tissue space can increase in size. This fluid also limits the amount of oxygen in the system, can retard wound healing and makes a potent medium for bacterial growth. This growth of bacteria can lead to infection, or lymphangitis.

Lymphedema is not the same as edema, or swelling, which is a normal reaction to surgery or trauma and usually resolves itself over a period of time.

Primary lymphedema can affect an arm, both arms, a leg, both legs, or several other body parts together or alone. This type of lymphedema can be present at birth. It can develop during puberty and is known as praecox lymphedema. Primary lymphedema which appears in adults is known as lymphedema tarda. Some cases of lymphedema are associated with other conditions, such as lymphangioma, hemangioma, port wine stains or Klippel Trenaury syndrome.

Secondary lymphedema can be the result of surgery, trauma, infection or radiation. Any surgery which includes removal or access to the lymph nodes puts patients at risk for secondary lymphedema. This type of lymphedema can appear immediately after the surgery, radiation et al, or weeks, months, years later. No one is sure of what makes lymphedema occur. Airplane flights have been linked to lymphedema, due to the decreased cabin pressure. Having blood drawn or a blood pressure cuff on the side of the body where the lymph nodes were comprised is suspect. Repetitive motion is under scrutiny. Infections, the use of medications (such as Tamoxifen) which may promote blood clots, is considered a possible link. Radiation and skin burns are also a possibility.

There is a severe form of lymphedema, knwon as Filariasis, which is present in Asia, India and Africa. This type of lymphedema happens when the mosquito larvae enters the lymphatic system. At its extreme, this is known as Elephantiasis.

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