Are You at Risk for Lymphedema?

Learn who is at risk for developing lymphedema and the preventive steps they should take.

Additional Types of Lymphedema

ADDITIONAL TYPES OF LYMPHEDEMA

The types of lymphedema are named for the body area that is affected. These include the ones listed in this article

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Diagnosing Lymphedema

Approximately 90% of all lymphedema cases are accurately  diagnosed by a healthcare provider with expertise in lymphedema. 

After the diagnosis has been made, the patient is referred to a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) for evauluation and  treatment.

Although the therapist is responsible for the patient's lymphedema treatment, the patient's primary physician remains responsible for all other the patient care.

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Early Intervention to Prevent Secondary Lymphedema

The American Cancer Society published the results of this study titled “Preoperative Assessment Enables the Early Diagnosis and Successful Treatment of Lymphedema.” This study was supported by the National Naval Medical Center and the study team included Nicole L. Stout Gergich, PT, MPT, CLT-LANA, Lucinda Pfalzer, PT, MA, PhD, Charles McGarvey, PT, DPT, MS, Barbara Springer, PT, PhD, OCS, SCS, Lynn H. Gerber, MD, and Peter Soballe, MD

The goal of the study was to evaluate if early intervention can, or cannot, prevent the early signs of lymphedema from developing into full-blown lymphedema after treatment for breast cancer.

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Genetics and Primary Lymphedema

Although the initiating circumstances surrounding the onset of primary and secondary lymphedema are different, knowledge of the genetic mechanisms that cause primary lymphedema will:

• Lead to a better understanding of the function of the lymphatics,
• New ideas for treatment of both primary and secondary lymphedema, and
• Possibly even the identification of genetic risk factors that increase an individual’s susceptibility for secondary lymphedema. Therapeutic implications of increased knowledge about the genetics of the lymphatic system include the potential for drugs that modify the activity of cell receptors and growth factors involved in maintaining a healthy lymphatic system.

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Genetics Testing for Primary Lymphedema

Genetic Testing for Primary Lymphedema is an informative article written by Kara Levine, M.S. a Genetic Counselor with the “Lymphedema Family Study” at the University of Pittsburgh.

For those seeking genetic testing contact data, this information is included at the end of this article.

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How Many Lymphedema Cases are there in the U.S?

The question often arises, “How many people in the U.S. have lymphedema?” Robert Weiss, MS, who is often known as the Lymphedema Guru, accepted the challengage of answering this question, has performed an extensive literature review and has come up with an answer to this question as it relates with patients of Medicare age. <more...>

Lymphatic Research Foundation Patient Registry

The Lymphatic Research Foundation (LRF) is proud to announce the founding of "The National Lymphatic Disease and Lymphedema Patient Registry." This is an important step toward finding ways to prevent, or cure, lymphedema.   

If you have lymphedema, YOU too can be part of this important project.

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Major Types of Lymphedema

If you have reason to believe that you have, or at risk of developing lymphedema, you should visit your physician to have the condition diagnosed as soon as possible.

90% of all cases of lymphedema are diagnosed by a physician. When the doctor suspects lymphedema, he or  she usually writes a referral to a lymphedema therapist for evaluation and to begin treatment if necessary. 

Even when the patient begins treatment with the lymphedema therapist, his or her physician contains to remain in charge of the patient's general medical care.      

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National Breast Cancer Lymphedema Registry

The National Breast Cancer lymphedema Registry is a gathering of information about real patients who who have had breast cancer. Gathering this data is an essential element of the research that will reduce the risk of developing lymphedema resulting from this treatment.

The National Breast Cancer Lymphedema Registry is an important part of this process. If you have lymphedema after breast cancer treatment you can explore this website at https://breastcancer-lymphedema.stanford.edu  After you read the information you will find here, please sign-up to be part of this important research.

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Surprising Research

The Information presented here is based on the “Breast Cancer Lymphedema: Role of Insulin Resistance/FOXC2,” This grant was presented to Stanley Rockson, MD of Stanford University in 2005. The Final Report of his surprising findings was released in 2008. <more...>

The Importance of Bioimpedance

Obtaining accurate measurements is one of the major challenges relating to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lymphedema. New technology, through the use of bioimpedance, brings the hope of having a simple and practical technique for obtaining these essential information. <more...>

The Warning Signs of Lymphedema

If you are at risk for lymphedema and develop any of the following warning signs you should promptly seek a diagnosis and treatment promptly. Lymphedema is a chronic condition that cannot be cured; however, the sooner treatment starts—the more effective this treatment can be!  <more...>

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