IMPORTANT: The overviews are provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider for a complete discussion of these conditions as well as the benefits and risks of any treatment options.
Lymphedema is a chronic condition where fluid builds up in the body due to damage or blockage in the lymphatic system. This leads to swelling, discomfort, and skin changes, most often in the arms or legs. Lymphedema can develop after cancer treatment, due to chronic vein disease, or from genetic causes.
Caused by genetic abnormalities in the lymphatic system.
Can appear at birth, during puberty, or later in life.
Occurs due to damage to the lymphatic system from:
Cancer treatment (e.g., lymph node removal, radiation therapy)
Infections or trauma
Chronic venous insufficiency (phlebolymphedema)
Latent or subclinical stage
Lymphatic dysfunction present but no visible swelling. May have heaviness or tightness in the limb.
Reversible stage
Pitting edema that improves with limb elevation. No fibrosis yet.
Spontaneously irreversible stage
Non-pitting edema with fibrosis and skin thickening. Elevation does not resolve swelling. Stemmer sign positive.
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Lymphostatic elephantiasis
Severe fibrosis, fat deposition, skin changes (papilomatosis, hyperkeratosis), and recurrent infections (cellulitis and lymphangitis)
Images used with permission from Elsevier
Lymphedema is a chronic condition where fluid builds up in the body due to damage or blockage in the lymphatic system. This leads to swelling, discomfort, and skin changes, most often in the arms or legs. The venous and lymphatic systems depend on each other. When one system fails, it overwhelms the other, leading to a failure of both.
In the classic model, it was believed that 90% of interstitial fluid was reabsorbed by the venous system. It is now known that almost all of the fluid is returned to the lymphatic system, thus all chronic edema indicates lymphatic impairment2.
In the US, phlebolymphedema is the most common form of secondary lymphedema3. It is caused by chronic venous insufficiency, which overwhelms the lymphatic system. The keys to managing this chronic disease are early detection and treatment to prevent and delay progression.
Prolonged Standing/Sitting Poor circulation
Age & Family History
Higher risk with aging
Pregnancy & Hormones
Increased venous pressure
History of Deep Vein Thrombosis or Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Leads to venous damage
Bulging Varicose Veins
Leg Swelling
that worsens throughout the day, heaviness, or aching
Skin Discoloration
(brown, red, or purple patches) & thickening
Venous Ulcers
Skin Changes
Thickened, hard skin or wounds
Many cancer survivors develop lymphedema after surgery or radiation therapy that affects the lymphatic system. This is common in breast cancer, gynecologic cancers, prostate cancer, and melanoma.
Lymph node removal or damage reduces the body's ability to drain lymph fluid.
Radiation therapy can cause scarring that blocks lymphatic flow.
Swelling in the arm, leg, or affected area.
Skin changes (hardening or thickening).
Tightness, heaviness, or aching.
Recurrent infections (cellulitis, lymphangitis).
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Along with limb elevation, exercise, and use of compression garments, compression devices are often used for long-term management and symptom control.
Dayspring is a FDA-cleared wearable compression treatment indicated for the treatment of lymphedema, phlebolymphedema, venous insufficiency, lipedema, related conditions to chronic edema and supports mobility during treatment4.
Diagnosing lymphedema remains challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions, lack of early detection methods, and limited access to specialized diagnostics.
TissueIQ is an innovative multi-modal analyzer designed to provide objective, real-time assessment of tissue changes beneath the skin, offering a modern approach to detecting early and progressive lymphedema-related changes, often before visible swelling occurs.
