About Lymphedema
Although Lymphedema has afflicted the population for centuries, little was understood about the disease. Only in the past ten to fifteen years have clinicians begun to seriously focus on its treatment.Lymphedema is a chronic disease that cannot be cured but can be effectively treated. The aims of treatment are to increase reduced transport capacity and to reach a state free of signs and symptoms, i.e., to make the lymphedema regress to Stage 0, the "latent stage".
Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid that causes swelling in the arms and legs. Edema occurs when lymphatic vessels are impaired. When the impairment is so great that the amount of lymph fluid exceeds the lymphatic transport capacity, an abnormal amount of protein fluid collects in the tissues of the extremity. Untreated, this stagnant, protein-rich fluid not only causes tissue channels to increase in size and number, but also reduces oxygen through the transport system, interferes with wound healing and provides a culture medium for bacteria that can result in various infections.
Lymphedema can occur from idiopathic or unknown causes. This is called Primary Lymphedema. Lymphedema can be present at birth, either idiopatically or associated with arterial-venous abnormalities, hemangioma, or lymphangioma.
Breast or abdominal surgery can result in Secondary Lymphedema. Surgical removal of a tumor and the adjacent lymph nodes and vessels can block lymph fluid from flowing naturally through its system.Other surgeries that require lymph node removal are those perforemed for skin cancer (melanoma), gynecological cancers, bladder or colon cancer and prostate or testicular cancer.
Radiation therapy used in the treatments of various cancers can damage otherwise healthy lymph nodes by causing scar tissue to form and thus, interrupt the normal pathway of the lymphatic fluid.
Lymphedema can occur secondary to an infection that interrupts normal lymphatic pathway function. A severe traumatic injury may also trigger the onset of lymphedema. According to the World Health Organization, lymphedema affects 250 million people worldwide. Others estimate that one in every twenty-five will suffer from some form of lymphedema during their lifetime. The M.S. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas reports that approximately 15% of all women with breast cancer will develop lymphedema over the course of their lifetime and that lymphedema resulting from prostate cancer is on the rise.
Lymphedema is a chronic condition and often begins with a swelling in the hands or feet. Early diagnosis and treatment improves both the prognosis and the condition. If left untreated, the limbs become more edematous and the skin hardens, losing its elasticity (fibrosis). Moreover, untreated lymphedema leads to infection and sometimes, irreversible complications.
Compression must be applied to the limb to reduce swelling. Surgical compression stockings or sleeves can apply compression. Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is performed by specially trained therapists, utilizing a gentle massaging technique in conjunction with a pumping motion. Some treatment centers use a special bandaging technique. We specialize in using Manual Lympahtic Drainage in combination with Complete Decongestive Therapy to treat our patients and provide relief. These therapies treat the cause of the lymphedema and prevent the long term effects of non-treatment. In general at least 15% of breast cancer patients will have lymphedema and many will progress to later stages of the disease Together, we can prevent that from happening.