What is cause of secondary lymphedema?

Whenever there is damage to lymph nodes or lymphatics from a known cause, this is known as secondary lymphedema. There are many causes of secondary lymphedema. Most common include the following:

Surgery is a common cause of lymphedema. In women following breast surgery, swelling of the arm is common. The swelling primarily results because of excessive dissection in the armpit. With time, the arm becomes severely swollen and is painful. In the olden days when radical surgery of breast was done, lymphedema was very common. Today. Lymphedema of the arm does occur but has a lesser incidence. Sometimes it is the surgeon mucking around excessively in the armpit area that is a cause of lymphedema. Excessive dissection or mucking around in the groin area is also a common cause of lymphedema in the leg. In such cases, lymph nodes in the groin have been damaged and obstruct lymphatic flow. Most people begin to notice leg swelling after surgery on their groin. Others have a continued discharge of white fluid from the groin that can take forever to stop. 

Radiation therapy is also a cause of lymphedema. Radiation therapy can cause blockage of lymphatics. Often radiation is administered to individuals with cancer and results in lymphedema

One of the more common causes of lymphedema is cancer. Cancers can block lymphatics in the armpit or groin and lead to swelling of extremities

Infections caused by parasites are a common cause of lymphedema. In countries where parasites are common, like Africa, lymphedema is a common disorder. These parasites can block groin lymph nodes and cause severe swelling of legs.

Another common cause of lymphedema is trauma. We live in society that is prone to both blunt and penetrating trauma. Sometimes traumatic injuries can damage delicate lymph nodes and lead to swelling of extremities

Irrespective of the cause of lymphedema, there are several treatments for the disorder. If the diagnosis is made early, compression garments can significantly lead to decrease the swelling. compression pumps also work well and can be combined with stockings. All other therapies for lymphedema are experimental, hazardous and can make your condition worse. The majority of lymphedema therapies advocated on cyberspace have little merit, are very expensive and do not work