aetiology
Last reviewed 01/2018
The most common cause of lymphoedema in the UK is malignancy or its treatment. The most common cause world-wide is filiariasis (affects around 90 million people) (2).
Primary causes include:
- truly congenital conditions such as Milroy's disease, which may be precipitated by trauma, pregnancy, and infection
- developmental abnormalities such as Turner's syndrome
Secondary causes:
- recurrent lymphangitis - from erysipelas, chronic venous ulceration
- lymphatic obstruction - from tumour, tuberculosis, filariasis
- lymphatic destruction - from tumour, surgery, radiotherapy
- lymphatic removal - from surgery e.g. radical mastectomy
- others - in association with conditions such as yellow nail syndrome, rosacea
Reference: