[Secondary malignant lymphedema]

The diagnosis of a secondary malignant lymphoedema which is caused by tumor infiltration or tumor compression is a very important sign for an unknown primary, but also for a tumor relapse. It is a big challenge, because it is often associated with a long story of woe, severe pain and a big reduction in mobility. Only an early diagnosis and introduction of a tumor-specific therapy is able to prevent the progress of this disease. As the secondary lymphedema is a chronic progressive disease, the early beginning of the "Complex physical Oedematherapy" is necessary, which consists of a combination of manual lymph drainage, compression by the use of bandages and special stockings for compression, physical training to improve mobility, dermatological care and drug therapy. Lymphedema is a chronic incurable disease. Therefore the therapeutic goal is to reach a stable disease without symptoms, which means reducing the lymphedema to "Stadium 0, latent stage".