Lymphology and translational medicine.

ABSTRACT

Lymphology is evolving in search of a better management of lymphedema patients, both as to the diagnostic pathway and as to the therapeutic options. Similarly, lymphatic system is involved in a wide spectrum of pathophysiologic processes of most chronic degenerative diseases. Translational medicine integrates the interdisciplinary scientific knowledge to improve diagnostic and therapeutic options in the biomedical field. Inflammation and lymphatic function are regarded as the connecting biochemical factors in most diseases. This review focuses on the scientific publications regarding lymphatic system in connection to psycho-neuroendocrine immunology, hormesis, epigenetics and more generally nutrition and lifestyle. The interaction between lymphology and translational medicine may play a relevant role to improve management of lymphedema on the one hand, and of chronic degenerative diseases on the other.