Lymphedema and Obesity: Is There a Link?
Open accessAbstract
Lymphedema is a chronic disorder that, in developed countries, occurs most commonly after lymph node dissection for cancer treatment. Although the pathophysiology of lymphedema is unknown, the disease is characterized histologically by fibrosis and abnormal adipose deposition. Clinical studies have provided evidence that obesity and postoperative weight gain are significant risk factors for the development of lymphedema. In fact, recent studies have shown that extreme obesity can result in markedly impaired lymphatic function and primary lymphedema. The aim of this Special Topic article is to review evidence linking obesity and lymphedema. In addition, the authors review recent studies that have analyzed the cellular mechanisms that may be responsible for this relationship, with a goal of highlighting areas of research that may have significant translational potential.
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Lymphoedema can also lead to severe infections, ulcer formation, psychosocial morbidity, and malignant transformation.
“Lymphoedema can also lead to severe infections, ulcer formation, psychosocial morbidity, and malignant transformation.104,105”
From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [104]
The opening section (page not available) associates adipose deposition in late-stage lymphedema with severe infections, psychosocial morbidity, and malignant transformation. It mentions skin changes, but does not specifically identify ulcer formation; it also frames these outcomes as associations with late-stage disease rather than effects of lymphedema generally. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIncreasing evidence has shown a potential link between lymphedema and obesity.
“Lymphedema is another condition most commonly observed during the treatment of cancer [36]; however, increasing evidence has shown the potential link between lymphedema and obesity [37].”
From The Utility of Body Composition Assessment in Nutrition and Clinical Practice: An Overview of Current Methodology (2021) · cites this paper as [37]
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Research works printed but not linked: 23
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Sorted by citations
Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity
Rubino, F., Cummings, D. E., Eckel, R. H., Cohen, R. V., Wilding, J. P. H., Brown, W. A., Stanford, F. C., Batterham, R. L., Farooqi, I. S., Farpour-Lambert, N. J., et al. (2025) · The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/s2213-8587(24)00316-4 · Cited by 1,811 · see citing works
Lymphatic pumping: mechanics, mechanisms and malfunction
Scallan, J. P., Zawieja, S. D., Castorena‐Gonzalez, J. A., & Davis, M. J. (2016) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1113/jp272088 · Cited by 424 · see citing works
Holmes, C. J., & Racette, S. B. (2021) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu13082493 · Cited by 402 · see citing works
- Authors
- Mehrara, B. J., & Greene, A. K.
- Affiliations
- Boston Children's Hospital (US)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (US)
- Venue
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Published
- 2014-07
- Volume
- 134
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 154e-160e
- ISSN
- 0032-1052 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4393748
- OpenAlex
- W2092164237
- Cited by
- 192
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 4.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL111130)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Lymphatic System and Diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Lymphatic Disorders and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Body Contouring and Surgery
- Keywords
- lymphedema, obesity, postoperative weight gain, lymph node dissection, lymphatic function, primary lymphedema, adipose tissue deposition, fibrosis, cellular mechanisms
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Lymphedema, Obesity
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