Lymphedema is a complex clinical condition characterized by the malfunction of the lymphatic system responsible for moving tissue fluid from the interstitium into the venous system of the body. This causes retention of tissue fluid in the soft tissues, with associated swelling, inflammation, and destruction of lymphatic channels and chronic pathologic soft-tissue changes.

Lymphedema may be caused by genetic or developmental abnormalities (primary lymphedema) or postnatal insults, such as nodal surgery, radiation, and infection (secondary lymphedema). Lymphedema affects 2 to 3 million people in the US alone. Secondary lymphedema affects 1 in 6 survivors of cancer.¹ In the US, breast cancer–associated lymphedema is the most common cause of secondary lymphedema. The reported incidence of lymphedema after sentinel lymph node biopsy is 0% to 23%, while that for axillary lymph node dissection is 11% to 57%.² Patients who undergo postoperative radiation are at increased risk.

淋巴水肿是一种复杂的临床疾病，其特征是淋巴系统功能失调，导致组织液从间质进入人体静脉系统。这导致组织液保留在软组织中，并伴有肿胀，发炎，淋巴通道破坏和慢性病理性软组织改变。

淋巴水肿可能是由于遗传或发育异常（原发性淋巴水肿）或产后侮辱（例如淋巴结手术，放射线和感染（继发性淋巴水肿））引起的。仅在美国，淋巴水肿就影响2至300万人。继发性淋巴水肿影响六分之一的癌症幸存者。¹在美国，与乳腺癌相关的淋巴水肿是继发性淋巴水肿的最常见原因。前哨淋巴结活检后报告的淋巴水肿发生率为0％至23％，而腋窝淋巴结清扫术的发生率为11％至57％。²接受术后放射治疗的患者风险更高。