About Lymphedema

Dr. Jodi Ganz, MD, is a dermatologist in private practice in Atlanta. She also serves on the volunteer faculty at Emory University, where she teaches medical students about genital dermatology. Doctors and patients are often reluctant to examine genital skin, but Dr. Ganz does…

Diagnosis

If you’re at risk of lymphedema — for instance, if you’ve recently had cancer surgery involving your lymph nodes — your doctor may diagnose lymphedema based on your signs and symptoms. If the cause of your lymphedema isn’t as obvious, your doctor may order imaging…

There are two general types of lymphedema:

Primary Lymphedema usually appears without obvious cause or after a minor traumatic event or an infection. It can happen at any age, but is due to a congenital abnormality, usually involving malformed or missing lymph vessels. This…

The lymph system consists of

a network of lymph vessels carrying lymph fluid to lymph nodes. The lymph vessels are located all over the body (usually next to veins) and transport lymph fluid – excess fluid in the tissues which is filled with proteins, white blood cells, germs…