Lymphedema

As previously stated in the introduction, lymphedema is caused by blockage preventing

drainage in the lymph nodes. This blockage increases the protein in the tissues outside the

vascular system, while retaining water and causing swelling in the tissue. Said increase

stimulates rapid reproduction of fiber producing cells, gathering of fluids, and swelling of

affected area. It also allows bacteria to enter beneath the skin which can lead to cellulitis. For

you to better understand let me explain the purpose of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic

system is a network of lymph vessels through the body to collect extra fluid with proteins, lipids,

and waste from the tissues. The fluid is then moved over to the lymph nodes, their job is to

filter waste and hold infection fighting cells. Extra fluid in the lymph vessels is then returned to

the bloodstream. When these vessels are blocked it can result in swelling of affected area also

known as lymphedema.

Lymphedema commonly affects just one arm or one leg sometimes though both limbs

can be affected which is rather uncommon. It often pops up after surgery for breast cancer, it’s

said that 10-40% develop some form of lymphedema in the same side of the body as the surgery.

Obesity, though not as common, is second leading cause in America for lymphedema, second to

surgery for breast cancer of course. Worldwide, however, the leading cause is filariasis

infection. Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by infection with roundworms of the Filariodea

kind, spread by black flies and mosquitos that feed on blood. Those who suffer from long term

lymphedema for ten years or more have a 10% chance of getting a cancer called

lymphangiosarcoma. This particular form of cancer is aggressive treated by amputation, even

with treatment the success rate is low being at 10% after 5 years.

There are two classifications of lymphedema primary and secondary lymphedema.

Primary lymphedema comes from a developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system.

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Lymphedema

Primary lymphedema is divided into three main types determined by the age of onset.

Congenital lymphedema, also known as Milroy Disease, which counts for 10-25% of primary

cases. Usually occurs anywhere from birth to a year and is twice as likely to occur in females

then males. Lymphedema praecox, also known as Meige Disease, is the most common form of

primary lymphedema. Tends to be obvious from birth to thirty-five years of age, often appearing

during puberty. Meige Disease accounts for 65-80% of primary cases with females being four

times as likely to acquire the disease then males. The third and final type of primary

lymphedema is lymphedema tarda. Lymphedema tarda tends to occur later in life for those

thirty-five and older, being the rarest form of primary it only accounts for 10% of cases. The

second classification is actually secondary lymphedema, which is usually linked to obesity,

infections, trauma, therapeutic modalities and neoplasm.

Did you know that the national symbol for lymphedema is the butterfly, such a graceful,

colorful, and majestic creature I can’t think of a better symbol. Its uplifting and motivates you to

keep flying high and don’t let anything keep you down. For example Princess Ati of Punt, which

current day is coastal Somalia, who is the first know person believed to have lymphedema. She is

portrayed in a hieroglyph in the Egyptian Queen Hatasu’s temple at Deir el-Bahari, being

described as having bags of flesh hanging from her limbs. In the hieroglyph they show her the

way she is described, you see her standing there shoulders back, head held high, and assumingly

confident in her position of authority. Although we still don’t know who it was that officially

documented lymphedema we can say we have came a long way in discovering facts and causes

and cures for this disease even some preventions. So to those of you with lymphedema I say stay

strong, get educated, and stay active and also no it’s not hereditary!

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