The body's drainage system
The (the body’s drainage system of fine vessels and lymph nodes that carries fluid away from tissue) carries fluid and waste products away from the body's tissues. When it is damaged or has not developed normally, fluid can remain. This causes .2
(lymphoedema present from birth, where the lymphatic system has not developed normally) can appear at birth, during the teenage years or later. (lymphoedema that develops after damage to the lymphatic system) most often develops after cancer surgery or radiotherapy.103
Swelling can change over time
(International Society of Lymphology, the international expert society for lymphatic diseases) divides into the following stages. Not everyone goes through every stage.2
Pressing on the swelling
Press with your thumb for a few seconds. If a dent remains, this is called (a dent remains in the skin when you press on the swelling). It suggests there is fluid in the tissue. If no dent remains, this is called (no dent remains in the skin when you press on the swelling). It may suggest that fat and firmer tissue make up most of the swelling.3
The test can offer a clue, but it does not provide a (the doctor’s assessment of which condition you have). Ask a doctor to examine the swelling.
Why does fatty tissue grow?
Long-standing swelling can affect the tissue. Using (an X-ray examination that produces cross-sectional images) and (a method that measures how much fat, muscle and bone a body part contains), Brorson's studies showed that the swollen arm had 73 % more fat and 47 % more muscle than the unaffected arm.1920
In a later study, fat cells in the swollen limb were on average 24 % larger.42
How is assessed
A doctor examines the skin and swelling. The volume of the limb is measured. If needed, (an examination using a weak radioactive tracer to show how lymph flows) or (a fluorescent dye that makes lymph flow visible with a special camera) can give more information about how lymph is transported.2
The information describes results in studies. Results vary between individuals. A doctor needs to assess your situation.
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