What is the expected life expectancy for someone in stage 3 lymphedema?

I am caring for someone who is in stage 3 of lymphedema (NOT lymphoma), known at Elephantitis (Sp?). Her stomach and legs are bloated with benign tumors growing on the surface. These have to be cleaned daily. She has irregular heartbeat and is on oxygen 24/7. She is my dear friend and I just want to be prepared for her passing.

GREETINGS, Paxton,

Does your friend have other health issues besides lymphedema? any heart issues?

Lymphedema is not a death sentence, it can be deadly yes when you have an infection or cancer causing it but there is treatment, even in stage 3. What are her doctors doing? How are they treating her?

The normal treatment for lymphedema is complete/complex decongestive therapy which consists of manual lymph drainage which is a form of medical massage. It is done by a certified lymphedema therapist who will also help you do special exerises and stretches to promote lymph flow, skin care, and wraps/compression garments will be provided to help keep the area of swelling down. Has she seen a therapist?

Somehow I am picturing her very swollen, sores on legs, you said tumors too, I just wonder if her doctor knows how to help her. I hope she's not on diuretics unless they are given for blood pressure.

Lymphedema is progressive and without treatment it will worsen. Probably the fluid is in her chest and abdomen area, that's called truncal lymphedema. She definitely needs help.

Please email me more details, if we can help her, that would be good.

I think you mean lymphoma. Lymphedema is a type of swelling of the arms or legs, bothersome, but not fatal.

Can't help on the lymphoma, sorry.

It all depends on your treatment and biological makeup. Any doctor worth their salt is a fool to give any cancer patient a time frame for life expectancy because it is too unpredictable. As an individual who has dealt with many family members and friends who have suffered through cancer, all I can tell you is that some people pass on quite quickly and others can live for many years to come. Sorry if this is not as much help as you would like but it is the best I can do for you. Good luck to you.

Lymphedema, itself, does not typically shorten life expenctancy by any certain measure. However, one must take into consideration her other medical history. Has she had recurrent infections due to the lymphedema? What is her nutritional status? Is she mobile and able to prevent the presense of bed sores? These things and her heart condition are more likely to influence her life expectancy rather than the presense of lymphedema itself. People with advanced lymphedema can live a rather normal life expectancy...but comorbid conditions can greatly shorten it.

Treatment of her lymphedema by CDT can probably greatly improve her quality of life...making her more mobile and less prone to infection.