Lymphedema can be classified based on the age of onset and the presence of an identifiable cause.
|
Onset
|
Precipitating Cause
|
Terminology
|
Type
|
|
at birth or as young infant
|
none
|
congenital lymphedema
|
I
|
|
onset < 35 years of age
|
none
|
lymphedema praecox
|
II
|
|
onset >= 35 years of age
|
none
|
lymphedema tarda
|
III
|
|
any
|
present
|
secondary lymphedema
|
IV
|
Precipitating causes:
(1) surgery
(2) radiation therapy
(3) malignant disease
(4) parasitic (filariasis)
(5) other
