Obesity and secondary lymphedema

Abstract

Obesity causes all types of lymphedema to deteriorate. Obesity-associated lymphedema is by now the most frequent secondary lymphedema and constitutes an entity in its own right. Obesity and its comorbidities, due to mechanical and inflammatory effects, decrease lymphatic transport and create avicious circle of lymph stasis, local adipogenesis, and fibrosis. The therapeutic strategy must therefore address both lymphedema and obesity and its comorbidities.