Acquired lymphedema is a disease that causes chronic swelling of the limb(s). It is frequently under-recognized or misdiagnosed. This study is designed to lead to the development of an accurate, noninvasive, blood test to allow testing for lymphedema. This approach is particularly useful to investigate relative responses to treatment interventions.

The validation of a sensitive and specific biomarker assay for human acquired lymphatic vascular insufficiency would represent a highly significant development for the patient community. Accurate bioassay for the presence of lymphatic vascular insufficiency should help to pave the road for future human clinical trials of experimental drugs and therapies designed to treat human lymphatic diseases. Molecular profiling will be performed in human tissues (skin) obtained by biopsy. The insights gained from these initial analyses will determine the targets for assay in human body fluids (blood).

Inclusion Criteria

For lymphedema participants:

• clinical diagnosis of lymphedema of at least 6 months' duration

Control participants:

• no evidence of lymphedema

Exclusion Criteria

For lymphedema participants:

• active cancer
• infection
• bleeding tendency
• active coronary artery disease
• congestive heart failure
• history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• uncontrolled hypertension
• renal insufficiency (serum creatinine > 1.1)
• active inflammatory or autoimmune disease (other than lymphedema)

For control participants:

• lymph node dissection
• radiation therapy
• active inflammatory disease

Patients who receive their care within Dr. Rockson's clinic in the Stanford Center for Lymphatic and Venous Disorders may be spoken to about voluntary participation in this study.

to be determined

Available one year after the last study visit and for one year duration.

Requestors will be required to complete a Data Access Agreement