pat01

Hi Everyone

I'm new here. I am a nine year survivor of mixed B-cell lymphoma and a four year survivor of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. This was all brought about by a condition I was born with called hereditary lymphedema.

Hereditary lymphedema is very rare and brought about because of a genetic break that is responsible for the lymph nodes/system not forming properly. Your body (my legs at first) can't throw off fluids so they swell.

There is another type of lymphedema, called secondary. This is the most common for of lymphedema in the world. Infact, the major reason for lymphedema in the developed world is the removal of lymph nodes for cancer biopsy. Another big cause is damage to the lymph system through intense radiation for cancer treatment.

If any of you who are cancer survivors have experience unexpected and/or unexplained swelling, this could be the first stages of lymphedema. Most doctors know very very little about it - and I can't believe how many cancers survivors have experienced this - only to have their oncologists scratch their heads, not knowing what to do. Yet, it is estimated that with breast cancer alone 20% of patients will acquire secondary lymphedema.

If you have experienced this, I invite you to visit my website dedicated to lymphedema - primary AND secondary. It may well be the most comprehensive site available on the internet regarding this condition.

Lymphedema People
[url]http://lymphedema.omno.org/[/url]

Here to all of us overcoming and surviving cancer AND overcoming lymphedema.

Pat O'Connor