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PRIMARY LYMPHEDEMA
Primary Lymphedema involves the leg(s) due to an absence of lymphatic vessels, too few lymphatic vessels or lymph nodes, hugely dilated lymphatic vessels and venous abnormalities.
Defined by the onset of the condition:
- Milroy’s Disease (present at birth)
- Lymphedema Praecox (begins in adolescence; appears during puberty, mostly in females and usually affects one lower extremity)
- Lymphedema Tarda (begins after 35 years of age; occurs in both male and female adults; onset is sudden with no apparent cause and can affect one or both extremities)
SECONDARY LYMPHEDEMA
Secondary Lymphedema is most often acquired after cancer surgery requiring axillary/groin node dissection and/or radiation therapy. It affects the arm(s) after breast cancer treatment or the leg(s) after melanoma and gynecological cancer (cervical, ovarian and vulvar) treatment. Occasionally, lymphedema occurs after bladder or prostate cancer treatment.
Additionally, Secondary Lymphedema can develop secondary to Chronic Venous Disease whereby the patient has Venous Lymphatic Insufficiency. Venous Insufficiency can be caused by deep vein thrombosis (post blood clot), post phlebitic syndrome (inflammation of the veins) and venous stasis ulcers (open sore, usually located on the inside of ankle).
Sometimes, we see Secondary Lymphedema develop after a patient has multiple cellulitis or lymphangitis infections and/or trauma to the extremity(ies).
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