Lymphedema, a disease still poorly understood and recognized, affects approximately 200,000 patients in France, the vast majority of whom are women.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis
As the National Reference Center for Primary Lymphedema, the Lymphology Department at Cognacq-Jay Hospital provides an overview of the two types of lymphedema and the importance of early diagnosis, with a particular focus on training young doctors in this disease.
A Dysfunction of the Lymphatic System
Lymphedema of the limbs results from a dysfunction of the lymphatic system, causing an accumulation of lymph and, subsequently, an increase in the volume of the affected limb, which is composed primarily of thickened skin and adipose tissue. There are two types: primary and secondary.
Primary Lymphedema
This is a lymphatic system abnormality present from birth, but it can manifest at birth, in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. It primarily affects women, with the peak incidence in girls around age 11. The lower limbs are mainly affected: either one entire limb (from the foot to the thigh) or both limbs (from the foot to the knee). Sometimes, only one foot is affected.
Secondary Lymphedema
This is mainly caused by cancer treatments, particularly breast cancer for the upper limb (hand, forearm, or arm), and, for the lower limbs, after gynecological cancers. Men can also be affected (prostate cancer, melanoma, etc.).
 Didier Galibert
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22/04/2025 | 
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