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If lymphedema remains untreated, the patient becomes at high risk for both physical illness and psychological or psychosocial issues that accompany change of body appearance and significant impact on activities of daily life. Some of the complications of untreated lymphedema include:

• Recurrent infections, especially cellulitis (a skin infection) and/or lymphangitis (infection of the lymph vessels). Cellulitis occurs in up to 50% of patients with lymphedema and is caused by a common pathogen called beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Patients are highly prone to reinfection since there is an inadequate response of the immune system which affects prevention as well as overcoming infection. Signs of infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue include:

  • redness
  • elevated skin temperature
  • pain
  • swelling
  • fever, chills

  It is critical that treatment for any infection be initiated immediately since, if left untreated, localized infection can result in abscess, tissue degeneration, and/or sepsis (generalized infection) which is much more difficult to treat.

• Progressive trophic changes to the skin and resulting elephantiasis (stage III lymphedema)

• Progressive damage to the lymphatic vessels
• Cosmetic and structural body changes
• Deep vein thrombosis

• Pain due to:

  • pressure on nerves in area of swelling
  • muscle involvement such as loss of muscle tissue or scarring

• Lymphangiosarcoma - cancer of the lymph system. There is a 10% risk of developing this condition following 10 years or more of chronic lymphedema. It is commonly observed in post-mastectomy lymphedema (Stewart-Trees Syndrome). The incidence is approximately 0.5% following radical mastectomy. It begins with a red/purple discoloration of the skin. The tumor is highly aggressive and carries a poor prognosis.