What is lymphoedema?

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Lymphoedema is a condition where the accumulation of excessive amounts of protein-rich fluid in the tissue results in swelling of one or more regions of the body. Lymphoedema usually affects the limb(s) although it may also involve the trunk, breast, head and neck or genital area. These body regions are generally associated with lymphatic territories (also called lymphosomes).

Lymphoedema is due to a failure of the lymphatic system and occurs when the demand for lymphatic drainage exceeds the capacity of the lymphatic circulation.

The lymphatic system is made up of a network of vessels and nodes throughout the body which transport fluid (lymph) from the body tissues back to the bloodstream. The functions of the lymphatic system are to:

• maintain the volume and protein concentration of extracellular fluid in the body

• to assist the immune system in detecting and destroying pathogens and removing waste products from the tissues.

 
There are many reasons for a swelling of a body region. Swelling can occur following tissue trauma, wounds, acute infections, cardiac failure, blood vessel issues, thyroid, kidney or liver dysfunction, obesity and can sometimes be linked to medications. In these cases, initial swelling is not caused by dysfunction in the lymphatic system and the condition is often referred to as ‘oedema’. However, there may be some impact on the lymphatic system drainage over time.

1 Oedema of short duration is called ‘acute’ whereas oedema of longer duration (more than 12 weeks) is called ‘chronic’.

2 The established classifications of lymphoedema are:

3  Primary:  due to a genetic malformation of the lymphatics.  Onset of swelling may not present until adolescence or adulthood Secondary:  to damage or destruction of lymph nodes or lymphatic vessels.  This may occur with surgery and/or radiotherapy related to cancer treatment, recurrent cellulitis, or following injury (trauma or surgery to other organs or structures in the body)

Left untreated, lymphoedema will lead to progressive swelling over time.  However, lymphoedema can be reduced and managed with appropriate intervention. The stage, location and severity of the lymphoedema, together with individual circumstances of the client, will influence the most appropriate intervention.Below is additional information on causes, risk factors and diagnosis.