4th June 2025

Epidemiology

Lymphoedema:

• Up to 250 million people worldwide are affected by lymphoedema
• Lymphoedema is classified as either primary or secondary; secondary lymphoedema is by far the most common form.
• In developing countries, the most common cause of lymphoedema is lymphatic filariasis (a parasitic nematode infection).
• In developed countries, the main cause of lymphoedema is cancer treatment (e.g. lymph node resection or irradiation). 
• Primary lymphoedema tends to present in infancy (males) and in adolescence (females) – however it is rare.

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