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  3. Hereditary lymphedema type II
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Hereditary lymphedema type II


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Other Names:
Meige disease; Meige lymphedema; Lymphedema, late-onset; Meige disease; Meige lymphedema; Lymphedema, late-onset; Lymphedema praecox; Lymphedema, hereditary, II; Lymphedema hereditary type 2 See More
Categories:
Blood Diseases; Congenital and Genetic Diseases; Skin Diseases

Summary Summary


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Hereditary lymphedema type II is a primary lymphedema that results from abnormal transport of lymph fluid. Individuals with this condition usually develop swelling in the lower legs and feet during puberty. Some affected individuals develop a non-contagious skin infection called cellulitis, which can further damage the lymphatic vessels (the thin tubes that carry lymph fluid). While the cause of hereditary lymphedema type II is unknown, it is thought to be genetic because it tends to run in families. It appears to have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.[1]
Last updated: 2/9/2012

Symptoms Symptoms


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Hereditary lymphedema type II is characterized by the abnormal transport of lymph fluid. This causes the lymph fluid to build up, causing swelling (lymphedema). Individuals with hereditary lymphedema type II usually develop swelling in the lower legs and feet during puberty. Some affected individuals develop a non-contagious skin infection called cellulitis, which can further damage the lymphatic vessels (the thin tubes that carry lymph fluid).[1]   
Last updated: 2/9/2012

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

Showing of 23 |
Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Absence of lymph node germinal center 0002849
Atypical scarring of skin
Atypical scarring
0000987
Cellulitis
Bacterial infection of skin
Skin infection
[ more ]
0100658
Cobblestone-like hyperkeratosis 0031288
Lymph node hypoplasia 0002732
Pedal edema
Fluid accumulation in lower limbs
Lower leg swelling
[ more ]
0010741
Predominantly lower limb lymphedema 0003550
Recurrent bacterial skin infections 0005406
Skin dimple 0010781
Skin erosion 0200041
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Angiosarcoma 0200058
Cleft palate
Cleft roof of mouth
0000175
Edema of the dorsum of hands 0007514
Facial edema
Facial puffiness
Facial swelling
[ more ]
0000282
Laryngeal edema 0012027
Periorbital edema 0100539
Peripheral edema 0012398
Pleural effusion
Fluid around lungs
0002202
Skin ulcer
Open skin sore
0200042
Varicose veins 0002619
Yellow nails 0011367
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
Hypoplasia of lymphatic vessels
Underdeveloped lymphatic vessels
0003759
Showing of 23 |
Do you have more information about symptoms of this disease? We want to hear from you.
Last updated: 2/1/2021
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Cause Cause


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The cause of hereditary lymphedema type II is unknown. The condition is thought to be genetic because it tends to run in families. Researchers have studied many genes associated with the lymphatic system; however, to date, no specific genetic change has been associated with this type of lymphedema.[1]
Last updated: 2/9/2012

Inheritance Inheritance


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Hereditary lymphedema type II appears to have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, which means that one copy of an altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. People with hereditary lymphedema type II usually have at least one other affected family member, in most cases, a parent. When the condition occurs in only one person in a family, the condition is described as Meige-like lymphedema.[1]
Last updated: 2/9/2012

Find a Specialist Find a Specialist


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If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

  • To find a medical professional who specializes in genetics, you can ask your doctor for a referral or you can search for one yourself. Online directories are provided by the American College of Medical Genetics and the National Society of Genetic Counselors. If you need additional help, contact a GARD Information Specialist. You can also learn more about genetic consultations from MedlinePlus Genetics.

Research Research


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Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • The Centers for Mendelian Genomics program is working to discover the causes of rare genetic disorders. For more information about applying to the research study, please visit their website.

Organizations Organizations


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Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

  • Lymphatic Education and Research Network
    261 Madison Avenue
    New York, NY 10016
    Telephone: +1-516-625-9675
    Fax: +1-516-625-9410
    E-mail: lern@lymphaticnetwork.org
    Website: https://lymphaticnetwork.org/
  • Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN)
    St. Luke's Crypt
    Sydney Street
    London SW3 6NH
    United Kingdom
    Telephone: 020 7351 4480 (Information and Support); 020 7351
    Fax: 020 7349 9809
    E-mail: adminlsn@lymphoedema.freeserve.co.uk
    Website: http://www.lymphoedema.org
  • National Lymphedema Network (NLN)
    411 Lafayette Street, 6th Floor
    New York, NY 10003
    Toll-free: +1- 646-722-7410
    E-mail: nln@lymphnet.org
    Website: http://www.lymphnet.org
Do you know of an organization? We want to hear from you.

Learn More Learn More


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These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Hereditary lymphedema type II. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Hereditary lymphedema type II. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

News & Events News & Events


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News

  • Rare Disease Day at NIH 2021
    March 1, 2021

GARD Answers GARD Answers


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Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

Have a question? Contact a GARD Information Specialist.

References References


  1. Meige lymphedema. Genetics Home Reference (GHR). November 2010; http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/meige-lymphedema. Accessed 2/9/2012.
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