Lymphoedema in men: is it different from women?
Lymphoedema is a chronic condition caused by lymphatic system dysfunction, often developing after cancer treatment. While it affects both men and women, differences exist in its causes, distribution, and underlying factors. It can be primary (congenital) or secondary (resulting from surgery/treatment or trauma). Women are more commonly affected, often due to breast cancer treatment, whereas in men, it is less frequent and typically arises from different causes.
But how does lymphoedema differ between men and women? In this blog, I’ll explore the similarities and key differences based on gender anatomy.
Lymphedema in men: Similarities
Who gets it the most?
All genders are likely to develop lymphedema after surgeries that involve the removal or damage of lymph nodes (like after cancer treatment). Most seen after surgeries or radiation treatment for cancers like breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.
What about the symptoms?
All genders will manifest the same or similar symptoms, such as: swelling, heaviness, pain, and changes in skin texture in the affected limbs.
What are the treatment Approaches?
Treatment protocols do not significantly differ by gender; people in general benefit from the established therapeutic interventions, including manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, exercise, nutritional changes, etc.
Lymphedema in men: How is it different?
1.Affected Areas
After cancer treatment, the areas most commonly affected by lymphedema can differ between gender anatomy:
- Men: Since breast cancer treatments are far less common in men, lymphoedema in men is more frequently linked to other factors such as trauma, infections (for example, filariasis in endemic areas), or surgeries related to other cancers (like prostate cancer with pelvic lymph node dissection).
- Women: Most women develop lymphedema in the arm after breast cancer surgery. They may also experience lower limb lymphedema related to gynecological cancers (uterus).
2.Hormonal Influences
There are studies focused on how sex hormones (specially progesterone) may play a role in the development of primary lymphedema, caused by genetic factors, which is more prevalent in women (approximately three times more common than in men). It seems like the hormonal environment (amount of progesterone) may influence lymphatic function differently in men and women, although this area requires further research.
3.Perceptions and Awareness
Due to its lower prevalence and limited discussion, lymphoedema in men is often underrecognized or diagnosed later, potentially compromising management and outcomes. Expert opinions suggest that men may not take warnings about lymphoedema as seriously as women, leading to a less proactive approach in managing the condition. This difference in health risk perception can result in delayed treatment and increased symptom severity, ultimately impacting their quality of life.
In short, while all genders can develop lymphedema post-surgery or radiation treatment, the areas affected, hormonal influences, and psychological responses differ significantly among them. Realizing these differences is pivotal to create a tailored treatment according to each patient’s needs and responses to the condition.
We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32259065/
https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2016.90
