hereditary or not

[will123iams]

I was born in 1956.My grandmother was born in 1896.My great grandmother was born in 1873 and we all as far as i can find out have or had primary lymphoedema.Is it hereditary i would love to know.Also i had to wonder how it was treated .I know my great grandma was bed ridden

[Gypsywife]

Hi, I have become aware of my lymphoedema in my feet and lower legs, late in life, following several bouts of cellulitis. As a result of being helped with this at a local wound healing clinic, a specialist has told me I probably also have the genetic type, affecting both upper legs. Growing up, I had observed that my mother had similar but much larger thighs than mine, so I think this must be right. It may be that it affects women in this way? Goodness knows how it was treated in the past. I am not aware of anyone else in my family having it however, thinking of a large number of elderly relatives from when I was young.

[kharimata]

hey yes in some cases it is due to genetic problem. i believe further research to this genetic aspect will eventually lead to a cure for both primary and secondary lymphedema...

This link is about the research and very informative....take care!

lymphedema.pitt.edu

[naominorthenellis]

I think Prof Mortimer is the man to ask. I don't know if anything is published on it though. NNE

[LymphedemaGirl]

My theory is that some (actually many) people are born with a weak or underdevopled lymphatic system, that's all of us with Lymphedema, be it Primary or Secondary. Those that we called Secondary get it when their already weak lymphatic system is messed with due to surgery (breastcancer ect.) and us with Primary are born with it, get it after an insectbite, an injury or even out of nowhere. I imagine that if I had had lymphnodes removed before my Lymphedema started I would have gotten it then and it would be categorized as Secondary instead of Primary. I do think a weak lymphatic system can be heriditary but it isn't always.

My dad had melanoma a couple of years ago and he now seems to have Lymphedema in his ankle and foot, although fairly mild. Perhaps he passed the weak system on to me, who knows. And who knows if my brothers are prone to Lymphedema or it was just me.

[sue32]

Yes, I have inherited lympho from my mum. I have it in both legs and my right arm. It was diagnosed by accident actually! I was at the diabetic clinic but saw an endocrinologist, and it was he who said I had it. He asked if any other female family members had it and, thinking back, yes, my mother and my maternal grandmother both had it! XX

[AnneBury]

Well, I have lymphoedema as do 2 of my 3 siblings (legs/feet affected in all 3 of us). We don't know where it has come from. St Georges has been doing some genetic research on us.