Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a chronic condition that is the collection of lymph underneath the skin leading to abnormal swelling on the body that can damage healthy tissue. It commonly affects an arm or a leg, sometimes both arms and both legs, and it can also affect the trunk, breast, neck, and genitals. Lymphedema occurs when there is damage, removal, or blockage of the lymph nodes or vessels causing improper drainage of lymph fluid.
Primary lymphedema is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait that is a very rare condition. It is caused by deformity or immaturity of multiple lymphatic vessels. This condition is further divided into three disorders depending on the age of onset; congenital lymphedema, which begins at infancy, causes abnormally
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Cancer cells can grow and spread in the lymph nodes and vessels causing blockage. Damage of the healthy nodes and vessels during cancer treatments also results in blockage. Surgical removal of lymph nodes can interfere with the normal flow of lymph. Although in some surgery cases, lymphedema that develops goes away shortly on its own. An infection in the lymphatic system can also inhibit the lymph flow, causing thickening and swelling under the skin that occur more frequently in tropical regions commonly caused by a parasite. Preexisting inflammatory or blood restricting conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or deep vein thrombosis also contribute to …show more content…
The most noticeable signs of lymphedema of the affected limb or body area include swelling on part of or all of the limb or area, a heavy feeling, tightness, difficulty moving or bending the hand, wrist, foot, or ankle, achiness, recurring skin infections, fatigue, and thickening and hardening of the skin. Swelling for lymphedema ranges from non-visible, people can see slight swelling with a heavy feeling; reversible, swelling at the distal end of the extremity and it reduces upon elevation; irreversible, fibrosis is present with thickening and one extremity is bigger than the other; and severe, limbs become abnormally larger than the rest of the body. In the course of cancer treatments lymphedema might not occur until months or years later. People with this condition are more at risk for developing cellulitis, lymphangitis, or edema may worsen over time. If left untreated cellulitis can lead to septicemia, abscesses, ulcerations, and/or
There are approximately six types of EDS that have been distinguished but other types exist that are very uncommon. Classical, Hypermobile, Vascular, Kyphoscoliosis, Arthrochalasia, and Dermatosparaxis. Classical and Hypermobile make up over 90% of all reported cases of EDS. With the Classical type of EDS a person would have hyperextensible (stretchy) skin with widened atrophic scars and joint hypermobility. The skin is smooth and velvety with tissue fragility and easy brusability. Also evident are molluscoid pseudotumors (fleshy lesions associated with scars) frequently found over pressure points (e.g. elbows) and subcutaneous spheroids, which are commonly mobile and palpable on the forearms and shins. Complications of joint hypemobility include sprains, dislocation are common in the shoulder, patella and temporomandibular joints Muscle hypotonia and slower gross motor development also can occur It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner (Clarke, D., Skrocki-Czerpak, K., Neumann-Potash, L.).
These recurrent nodules and abscesses not only cause pain, but self-consciousness, social isolation and even depression. Other less common complications include severe infections, restricted movement caused by a buildup of fibrosis and a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
The patient is a 30 year old male with an active bacterial infection on his right leg attacking his Integumentary system. The patient is from Tanzania, Africa but came back to work in a factory that produces plastic. If he has Cellulitis, it can get bad enough to travel to other organs like the Liver and Kidney and cause failure. If this happens, Edema can form, usually on one half of the body; this is the Urinary system being attacked. The main system being attacked is the Lymphatic system because Cellulitis attacks the lymphatic draining system. For Cellulitis to travel to organs, it had to go through the blood, so the cardiovascular system is also in effect.
The largest lymphatic organ in the body is the spleen. The spleen stores healthy blood cells and breaks down aging red blood cells. It also helps make lymphocytes and other types of red blood cells. Another function of the spleen is it collects pathogens from the blood and attacks the trapped pathogens. The adenoids are masses of lymph tissue found in the nose and throat. The two ...
If lymphatic cancer is found treatment is required immediately to get rid of the cancer cells as soon as possible so damage as is not done to normal cells.
Ployarteritisnodosa is an inflammatory disease of the small to medium sized arteries. Many systems including the skin, central nervous system, heart, kidneys and intestinal tract. It is commonly associated with hepatitis B but the cause is usually unknown.. Symptoms vary however, fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches are normal. Treatment depends on how serious the case is.
Symptoms of elephantiasis are enlargement and swelling of a part of the body due to the blockage of the lymphatic nodes. The lymphatic system is not able to take out the extra fluid of the body which causes an accumulation of body fluid. The arms and legs are the most affected areas in the body. It can swell to more than three times of its normal shape. Affected areas will have malformed shapes; skin and tissue will become thick and appear to look like an elephant’s leg. The skin of the affected areas becomes extremely dry, thickened (hyperkeratosis), and discolored. Other symptoms may include Fever, chills, and a feeling of sickness. Elephantiasis may affect the male and female external genital area. Some male suffer from enlargement of the scrotum, in some cases scrotum can become abnormally enlarged and can weigh over 100 lb. The penis may be hidden under the skin. In some women the external area of the genitalia will appear thickened and ulcerated rough skin may develop. The breasts may become enlarged. Infected individuals are susceptible to bacterial and fungal due to the damage of the lymphatic system. Infections may become worsen due to the lack of immunity caused by a damaged lymphatic system. People affected by this disease may experience severe pain and a burning
Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. It begins in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside the bones. Within the bone marrow is where white blood cells are created, that help fight off bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms within the body that cause infections. The disease develops to when the white blood cells are being produced out of control. The cells that are being produced do not work properly as they should, they grow faster than a normal cell would and don’t know when to stop growing. Overtime, if not treated properly, the white blood cells will over crowd blood cells, creating a serious problem such as anemia, bleeding and infection. Leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs in the body causing swelling and pain.
of Europe was destroyed. The disease causes swelling of the lymph glands (up to the size
Lymph Fluid: Is excess tissue fluid that is found throughout the body in the lymph node, spleen and thymus. The Lymph fluid leaves blood capillaries and sits in the interstitial space. The fluid contains waste materials from tissues. They filter foreign debris and bacteria from lymph and transport large proteins and fats to the blood. The thoracic duct, which travels from the abdomen to the thorax is the main lymphatic duct that drains lymph into one of the large veins to the heart. The Lymph fluid is filtered through the lymph nodes before it enters the blood. (Reeder, Miller, Wilfong, Leitch & Zimmel.,
There are two types of lymphoma, Hodgkin disease and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and even though they are different they both begin the same way. Like other cancers, lymphoma results when cells divide too quickly or do not die because of a discrepancy in their genes. The cells that are affected in this type of cancer are white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes make up around 20 to 40 percent of all white blood cells, and are divided into two categories, B or T. Both types help support the immune system by destroying infectious or foreign substances, but B lymphocytes make antibodies to fight these substances while T lymphocytes directly attack the unwanted substances. These cells work in the lymph system which is a part of the immune system. The main jobs of the lymph system are to protect the body from unwanted substances and to transport waste. The system includes many vital organs such as lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, thymus, and the digestive tract. When lymphocytes become cancerous they collect in the lymph nodes therefore blocking the passage of waste and other white blood cells while also using the nodes as a system to travel and spread to other parts of body. These cancerous cells do not die and become a burden for the body because they can no longer fulfill their ...
Other symptoms include sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. A few weeks after these initial symptoms, joints and muscles begin aching. These aches last at least two weeks. The most commonly affected joints are the knee and wrist. The ankles, shoulders, elbows and finger joints may also be involved.
As I have mentioned before, compartment syndrome is when increased pressure is built up within the compartments of the arm or leg that can restrict blood flow and can then lead to progressive ischemia and eventual muscle and never necrosis and even possibly involving the skin depending on the severity of the swelling.
The lymphatic system is a link of tissues and organs that help clear the poisonous toxins, waste and further unwanted elements that are inside the human body. The key function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph which is a watery fluid substance holding infection that are fighting white blood cells, all over the human body.
However, if the bone involved is deep within the body tissues, then a lump cannot be noticed. If the bone cancer involves a joint, then the swelling and redness may make using the joint difficult. IF the affected joint is in the leg, it can cause a limp and if it involves spine, it may press on nerves, causing numbness and tingling in the limbs. If the bones of the neck is affected with cancer then, a lump may develop on the back of the throat that can lead to trouble swallowing or breathing trouble.