Dear Dr. Dayan, My father has been suffering with Lymphadema for the last half decade. It came on after hip surgery. Would a nodal relocation be a potential for alleviating or curing his debilitating leg swelling? He receives compression wrap and mechanical compression treatment each week, but his quality of life and constant risk of infection/hospitalization drastically reduce his ability to enjoy a good quality of life. Lasiks have only marginally improved the fluid retention that he experiences. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 

Dr. Dayan: I am a breast cancer survivor who has developed lymphedema in my chest and back after DIEP flap reconstruction. I have tried manual lymphatic drainage treatments and have used the arm sleeves required by Medicare which only exasperated the problem in my trunk. As Medicare refuses to cover any further physical therapy for my condition and denies coverage of the truncal pump I suffer daily from the increasing pressure in my chest and back to include not only chest pain but pain in my spine and migraines. I have read about VLTN and wonder if there is any evidence that it can help in the situation of truncal lymphedema.

Dr. Dayan, I became aware of the surgical treatment for lymphedema recently. In my research I found a blog from a woman in France,lymphosaurusrex, who said that only the French Doctor Becker has the MRI technology to best assess one's lymphatic system. On the blog she shows her lymphoscintigraphy film and the colored MRI. The MRI detail was amazing. Is this true? Are there any US surgeons who have this more precise technology available? Does MSKCC? Thank you for your response. JPG

I have a concern. I am a breast feeding mother and I found lump in my breast went to have a ultrasound done. The radiologist noted an aggressive mass which she performed a core needle biopsy on. She also noted that I had active axillary lymph node and she did a core needle biopsy on that as well. The pathology result was a lactation adenoma and reactive changes to lymph node no malignancy. My question is is there any risk of developing lymphedema post a core needle biopsy of a lymph node? Do you think I should follow lymphedema precautions for the rest of my life?

Dr. Dayan, We are considering having LVA surgery performed on our almost 16 year old son. We recently found out he has primary lymphedema in his feet and legs. His left foot has been swollen since first grade without any pain and still fits in the same size shoe as the other foot. This March during track he had pain and swelling in his right foot. We saw a PT who had a certified lymphedema specialist in his office and she diagnosed him with lymphedema. We have done some therapy 9 ( and the pain is gone ) with her and she found Dr. Chen in Iowa city and referred us to him to talk about possible surgery. They performed the ICG test and didn't really find any linear pattern of lymph flow in either leg. We are wondering about the effectiveness of the surgery and since he is so young if the surgery will continue to be effective over the course of his life. Wondered what your experience doing the LVA surgery on young patients is? Thanks

Dear Dr. Dayan I have some burning questions and no one can answer me: 1/ Do you think someone dying or dead could donate their lymphnodes? Why or why not? 2/ can we harvest from apes? Or other animals? 3/ can we use stem cells to grow Lymphnodes, and then transfer it back to the body? 4/ can we put in artificial 'pumps' to act as working lymphnodes? Like how they have artificial hearts for those with heart problems. 5/ where can I follow up on the latest news about Lymphedema and cure research? I would like to keep updated on this topic just in case... Never know when there might just be a cure round the corner... I figured if they could make these and replace hearts, shouldn't they be able to do something to replace lymphnodes too? Thank you so much, Hopeful for the future

I am 48 and have had primary lymphoedema in my left leg since 2006. I am Italian and on last may went through surgery here in Italy (4 LVA) performed with supermicrosurgery (the same technique used by prof. Koshima in Japan). After three months and half I do not see significant improvements, even if I strictly follow directions (constantly wearing garment and/or applying bandaging). I’ve been told the results may come slowly but I am wondering whether I should start to see some change in the condition…