Lymphedema, Hereditary

Synonyms

• Primary Lymphedema

Disorder Subdivisions

• Hereditary Lymphedema, Type I
• Congenital Hereditary Lymphedema
• Milroy Disease
• Nonne-Milroy Disease
• Lymphedema Praecox
• Lymphedema Tarda

General Discussion

Hereditary lymphedema is a genetic developmental disorder affecting the lymphatic system. It is characterized by swelling (edema) of certain parts of the body. The lymphatic system is a circulatory network of vessels, ducts, and nodes that filter and distribute certain protein-rich fluid (lymph) and blood cells throughout the body. In hereditary lymphedema, lymphatic fluid collects in the soft tissues in and under the skin (subcutaneous) due to obstruction, malformation, or underdevelopment (hypoplasia) of various lymphatic vessels. There are three forms of hereditary lymphedema: congenital hereditary lymphedema or Milroy disease; lymphedema praecox or Meige disease; and lymphedema tarda. Symptoms include swelling (lymphedema) and thickening and hardening of the skin in affected areas. In most cases, hereditary lymphedema is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.



Lymphedema may be considered primary or secondary. Hereditary lymphedema is also known as primary lymphedema. Secondary lymphedema occurs because of damage to the lymphatic system from surgery, radiation therapy, trauma or an underlying condition

Resources

National Lymphedema Network

116 New Montgomery Street

Suite 235

San Francisco, CA 94105

Tel: (415)908-3681

Fax: (415)908-3813

Tel: (800)541-3259

Email: nln@lymphnet.org

Internet: http://www.lymphnet.org



March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation

1275 Mamaroneck Avenue

White Plains, NY 10605

Tel: (914)997-4488

Fax: (914)997-4763

Tel: (888)663-4637

Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com

Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com



NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

P.O. Box 30105

Bethesda, MD 20892-0105

Tel: (301)592-8573

Fax: (301)251-1223

Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov

Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/



Lymphovenous Canada

8 Silver Ave

Toronto

Ontario, Intl M6R 1X8

Canada

Tel: 416-533-2428

Email: info@lymphovenous-canada.ca

Internet: http://www.lymphovenous-canada.ca



Vascular Disease Foundation

1075 S. Yukon Street

Suite 320

Lakewood, CO 80226

Tel: (303)989-0500

Fax: (303)989-0200

Tel: (888)833-4463

Email: info@vdf.org

Internet: http://www.vdf.org



Lymphatic Research Foundation

40 Garvies Point Road

Glen Cove, NY 11542

USA

Tel: (516)625-9675

Fax: (516)625-9410

Email: lrf@lymphaticresearch.org

Internet: http://www.lymphaticresearch.org



MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network

150 Custer Court

Green Bay, WI 54301-1243

USA

Tel: (920)336-5333

Fax: (920)339-0995

Tel: (877)336-5333

Email: mums@netnet.net

Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/



National Lipedema Association, Inc.

USA

Email: info@lipedema.org



Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)251-4925

Fax: (301)251-4911

Tel: (888)205-2311

TDD: (888)205-3223

Email: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx

Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  2/14/2009

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