Lymphedema

Lymphedema is swelling in various areas of your body that happens when something affects your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system collects excess fluid, proteins and toxins from your cells and tissues and returns them to your bloodstream.

When your lymphatic system doesn’t work well, your body accumulates fluid and may begin to swell. The swelling typically affects your arms and legs, but it can affect other areas of your body, too. Lymphedema also increases your risk of developing an infection where you have the condition.

This can happen after certain surgeries or because you have certain medical conditions or genetic conditions. You may develop lymphedema spontaneously, meaning it happens for no known reason.

Lymphedema symptoms may be mild, causing minor swelling and discomfort. Sometimes, however, lymphedema may cause significant swelling that can be painful and cause skin issues such as infections and wounds. Healthcare providers can’t cure lymphedema, but they do have treatments to reduce swelling and discomfort. There are also many things you can do to limit the impact lymphedema may have on your quality of life.

How does lymphedema affect my body?

If you have lymphedema, your arms, legs, feet and other areas of your body may look and feel swollen. Lymphedema can be painful and may affect your ability to manage daily activities. Many people with lymphedema feel self-conscious about the ways it changes their appearance.

Is lymphedema a serious medical condition?

It can be. If you have lymphedema, you may be at risk of developing infections that start in your skin. These infections may be life-threatening. Rarely, lymphedema may also lead to lymphangiosarcoma, a very rare skin cancer.

Are there different types of lymphedema?

Yes, there are two types of lymphedema — primary and secondary.

What is primary lymphedema?

Primary lymphedema comes from rare, inherited conditions that affect how your lymphatic system develops. Primary lymphedema affects about 1 in 100,000 people in the U.S. Lymphedema from these conditions can appear at these ages:

• Infancy: Infants may be born with Milroy’s disease, an inherited form of lymphedema.
• Puberty, during pregnancy or up until age 35: Meige’s disease (lymphedema praecox) may affect people going through puberty or pregnancy and up until age 35.
• After age 35: A rare, late-onset lymphedema (lymphedema tarda) can cause lymphedema, with swelling limited to your legs.

What is secondary lymphedema?

Secondary lymphedema may happen if your lymphatic system is damaged from surgery, trauma or radiation therapy. It is most common in people who’ve had breast cancer treatment. That said, not everyone who has breast cancer treatment develops lymphedema.

Is lymphedema a form of cancer?

No, it’s not a form of cancer.