Diseases of Lymphatics

Abstract

Lymphedema is a chronic, untreatable, progressive disease resulting from a transport disorder in the lymphatic drainage system, with consecutive proliferation and alteration of tissue fluid, as well as alteration of tissue of the affected body part. Lymphedema can affect all areas of the body surface, but also the internal organs – especially in lymphedema-associated syndromes. Lymphedema is classified according to four clinical stages, the age of manifestation (congenital, lymphedema praecox, lymphedema tardum), and etiopathogenesis (primary, secondary). In recent years, several genes have been identified, the mutations of which are associated with primary lymphedema. There is currently no causal treatment for lymphedema, so the treatment is purely symptomatic.