Primary lymphedema French National Diagnosis and Care Protocol (PNDS; Protocole National de Diagnostic et de Soins).

Primary lymphedema is a rare chronic pathology associated with constitutional abnormalities of the lymphatic system. The objective of this French National Diagnosis and Care Protocol (Protocole National de Diagnostic et de Soins; PNDS), based on a critical literature review and multidisciplinary expert consensus, is to provide health professionals with an explanation of the optimal management and care of patients with primary lymphedema. This PNDS, written by consultants at the French National Referral Center for Primary Lymphedema, was published in 2019 ( https://has-sante.

Impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema on working women.

Background: The professional impact of upper limb lymphedema, which affects 15-20% of women after breast cancer treatment, has been poorly evaluated.

Objective: To analyze lymphedema characteristics and global lymphedema- and/or sleeve-attributed impact (mildly inconvenient to severely debilitating) on professional activities, workplace relationships, and workstation ergonomics.

Methods: Patients received a standardized, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire at consultation/hospitalization for treatment in a specialized lymphedema management center.

[Primary lymphedema in childhood].

Lymphedema results from impaired lymphatic transport with increased limb volume and is divided into primary and secondary forms. In children, primary lymphedema is the most frequent, with a sporadic, rarely familial form or associated with complex malformative or genetic disorders. Diagnosis of lymphedema is mainly clinical and lymphoscintigraphy is useful to assess the lymphatic function of both limbs precisely.

Specialized consultations in a hospital-based referral center for patients suspected of having limb lymphedema: Impact on diagnosis.

Lymphedema, a chronic debilitating disease, is not always easily diagnosed. A total of 254 new patients ((217 women, 37 men), median (Q1-Q3) age 61 (46-72) years) were referred for suspected limb lymphedema to an exclusively lymphedema-dedicated department for a first consultation (January - March 2015) were included; among 118 with upper limb involvement, 100 (84.7%) were diagnosed with post-breast cancer therapy and four with primary lymphedemas; among 136 with lower limb involvement, 31 (22.