Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a condition characterized by the impairment of the lymphatic circulatory system. Lymphedema, which is defined as the accumulation of protein-rich discharge in the tissue, causes pain and swelling in the area occurred. Being a severe disease that reduces the quality of life of the patient, lymphedema causes movement restriction in the course of progression.

What is Lymphedema?
Symptoms of Lymphedema
Causes of Lymphedema
Lymphedema Treatment

What is Lymphedema?

The lymphatic system is responsible for retrieving back the fluid and plasma leaking into tissue spaces to the circulatory system. Lymphatic system is like a vacuum working with low hydrostatic pressure composed of capillaries.

The disruption of the system leads to lymphedema. Although it is a condition more common in women, it can be seen in both men and women at all ages.

It is divided into two as secondary and primary. Primary lymphedema is divided into three periods as birth to 1st year, 1st – 35th years and after 35 years; whereas secondary lymphedema develops due to infection, cancer, radiation or trauma. This problem, which is mostly common in the legs, may also be seen on the arms, face, neck and external genital region.

Symptoms of Lymphedema

Symptoms of this problem, which is the lymphatic system insufficiency or impairment, cause cosmetic problems in the patients as well as reducing the quality of life and leading to movement limitations in the later periods. The symptoms can be listed as follows:

Skin deformations
Pain, swelling and heaviness in the area
Temperature rise
Changes in hair and nail
Obesity
Numbness
Skin thickening
In neck lymphoedema cases; movement limitation and difficulty in swallowing
In face lymphoedema cases; loss of visual acuity, swelling in eyes and skin thickening

Causes of Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a problem that can be developed in all ages regardless of gender. Although its causes have still being investigated, they are not clarified yet. However, the risk factors causing lymphoedema have been determined, which can be listed as follows:

• Cancer treatment
• Infection
• Exposure to radiation
• Various traumas

Lymphedema is often observed as a consequence of long-term cancer therapy. Furthermore, several bacterial and fungal infections may also lead to lymphedema impairing the lymphatic system.

Lymphedema Treatment

It is a long-term process that requires patience. During this process, it is very important to protect and properly care the site of diagnosis.

In the treatment stages of the lymphedema problem; firstly, the swelling degree is determined, the volume of the accumulated fluid is measured and lymphatic system is mapped via lymphoscintigraphy. Following the evaluation made by using high-tech devices such as ultrasound and MR, the treatment modality is determined depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the lymphedema.

Treatment options include manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, compression, skin care, complex decongestive therapy, laser treatment, medication and physical therapy.

About Dr. Onur ÜSTÜNEL

He was born in 1983 in Kütahya. After successfully completed his six-year medical education in Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, he graduated in 2007. Under the obligatory service, he started his career as a general practitioner in the Seyitömer Healthcare Center in Kütahya. He continued his specialization training at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery following his success in the TUS exam (Specialty Exam in Medicine). Following the current developments in his field, Op. Dr. Onur Üstünel proceed in his career at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery in University of Bologna School of Medicine Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital together with the famous cardiovascular surgeons Prof. Dr. Roberta Di Bartalemeo and Prof. Dr. Davide Pacini. In 2014 and 2015, he continued his academic development by participating in the EACTS (European Association of Assosication of Cardiothoracic Surgery) vocational training courses in Windsor, England. After completing his specialty training, he worked in Siirt State Hospital as part of the obligatory service and then started to work at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital. Moving to İzmir in later years, Dr. Onur Üstünel continued his career in Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital. Finally, he started the operations and services of his department at Bornova Türkan Özilhan State Hospital. To offer a better quality and boutique service to his patients, he opened his own clinic here. He currently provide service to his patients in Alsancak. He is also a member of European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS), Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (TKDCD), National Society of Vascular Surgery and European Society for Vascular Surgery, and İzmir Chamber of Medicine. Onur Üstünel is interested in tennis as a hobby and is a member of İzmir Tennis Club.

Onur Üstünel - DoktorTakvimi.com