Biology of Lymphedema

Abstract

Simple Summary

Lymphedema is a chronic, debilitating disease of the lymphatic vasculature. Although several reviews focus on the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system, this review provides an overview of the lymphatic vasculature and, moreover, of lymphatic system dysfunction and lymphedema. Further, we aim at advancing the knowledge in the area of lymphatic system function and how dysfunction of the lymphatic system—as seen in lymphedema—affects physiological systems, such as the cardiovascular system, and how those might be modulated by lymphedema therapy.

Abstract

This narrative review portrays the lymphatic system, a poorly understood but important physiological system. While several reviews have been published that are related to the biology of the lymphatic system and lymphedema, the physiological alternations, which arise due to disturbances of this system, and during lymphedema therapy, are poorly understood and, consequently, not widely reported. We present an inclusive collection of evidence from the scientific literature reflecting important developments in lymphedema research over the last few decades. This review aims at advancing the knowledge on the area of lymphatic system function as well as how system dysfunction, as seen in lymphedema, affects physiological systems and how lymphedema therapy modulates these mechanisms. We propose that future studies should aim at investigating, in-detail, aspects that are related to fluid regulation, hemodynamic responses, and endothelial and/or vascular changes due to lymphedema and lymphedema therapy.