Our blood moves through three systems, the arteries, veins and lymphatics. It leaves our heart, goes to our arm with the arteries, and must definitely go back, through two systems: the veins and the lymphatics.

“If it is necessary to remove some lymph nodes, either because of a mastectomy or a problem with the prostate, etc., then the return “boulevard” is disturbed and instead of the blood returning to the heart, it turns back and the leg begins to swell, the hand, genital area, neck or cervix. This swelling is called lymphedema, which leads to a poor quality of life, many complications, and may also lead to depression,” points out Mr. Evangelos Dimakakos Lymphologist – AngiologistDirector of the Center for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphedema – Swelling and Lymphatic Diseases of Adults and Children at Metropolitan Hospital and continues:

Why are patients depressed?

“This condition leads to depression because it directly affects the aesthetic part of the sufferer, seriously affecting the social and personal life of the patients, as some of the aforementioned parts of the body are swollen, resulting in feelings of shame or guilt in the sufferers” , he explains.

How is the relevant diagnosis made?

“First, the specialized lymphologist must carry out a clinical examination of his patient, then request special laboratory tests and special imaging tests, with the most important of all magnetic lymphography, which is done in our country only at the Metropolitan Hospital. Here, it is worth noting that, since the condition occurs in both children and infants, in the relevant Center of our Clinic we have the possibility of comprehensive genetic testing in children, in order to see where their lymphedema appeared from and what is the best therapeutic approach for his treatment” he emphasizes.

Can we have treatment or prevention?

In our time, it is of great importance that the patient receives the best possible care, in a modern center of high standards, where other conditions that he may have (co-morbidities) will be examined in detail, in collaboration with doctors of various specialties.

In this direction, the Metropolitan Hospital operates for the first time in Greece a Model Center for Lymphedema – Edema, based on the needs of the patient and in accordance with the Global Guidelines of the International Lymphological Society, which is even among the top 10 in the world.

The Lymphedema-Swelling center consists of a large group of therapists specialized in Lymphedema-Swelling, which can provide a solution to everything related to the health of the Lymphatic Systems.

The purpose of the Center is Prevention, so that no patient develops lymphedema. For this reason, timely, immediate information is provided, while instructions are given according to the needs of each patient before the appearance of lymphedema and definitely before or after the surgery and before the radiation of the patient.

In addition, immediate instructions and treatment of the newly appearing lymphedema-edema are provided so that the patient does not have to wear elastic gloves or elastic stockings and has a good quality of life.

“The diagnosis of the condition is made by an extremely experienced team with the help of Hematological and Imaging methods (Ultrasound, Magnetic Lymphography, Axial Lymphography, Lymphangial Scintigraphy, etc.), some of which are performed Nationwide only at the Metropolitan Hospital Clinic”, concludes Mr. .Dimakakos.