Lymphedema is a symptom; edema is a disease.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Both true and false

Answer: (B)

Edema is swelling caused by fluid accumulation and is a sign or symptom, not a disease. Lymphedema, on the other hand, is a disease/condition defined by chronic swelling that results from impaired lymphatic drainage. Because edema can arise from many different causes (venous, cardiac, renal, inflammatory, etc.), and lymphedema specifically refers to a lymphatic system issue, the claim that lymphedema is merely a symptom and edema is a disease isn’t accurate. In practice, lymphedema is the diagnosed condition, with edema being the presenting feature that reflects the underlying lymphatic dysfunction.