In industrialized nations, the onset of lymphedema is associated with complications following cancer treatment by means of surgery or radiation therapy. Other patients develop it without obvious cause at different stages in life (primary lymphedema), and still others develop it after trauma or deep vein thrombosis.Īccording to the World Health Organization (UN/WHO), each year approximately 250 million people acquire lymphedema, mainly as a result of mosquito-borne microfilaria parasite infection in the tropics. Lymphedema is not uncommon, affecting at least 5-7 million Americans. Some patients develop it after surgery or radiation therapy for various cancers (breast, prostate, bladder, uterus, melanoma, lymphoma) in which case it is referred to as secondary lymphedema. Adequate lymphedema management may prevent complications that could lead to disability and disfigurement. However, early lymphedema management will often prevent more severe edema and minimize complications. The onset of secondary lymphedema may be triggered by tumor, surgery, radiation, trauma, deep vein thrombosis, or chronic infection as seen in venous ulcers. Secondary lymphedema is more common and the result of injury to the lymphatic system. Symptoms appear at anytime but most often the onset is at puberty. Primary lymphedema is most often seen in children due to genetic makeup. Primary lymphedema is the term used for this swelling when the cause is not obvious. Of the two types primary lymphedema is less common. Lymphedema is a condition characterized by swelling of the soft tissue of the limbs, or less often the trunk, caused by a buildup of lymph fluid.
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