The Master in Lymphology prepares physicians and physical therapists with specialised training, in lymphology and lymphatic rehabilitation, according to a differentiated pathway based on specific professional skills.
The course will provide specialised skills in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of lymphoedema for physicians and, for physical therapists, in terms of recovery, re-education, and rehabilitation.
The Master’s course teaches students to use clinical reasoning in diagnosing lymphoedema, preventing secondary damage, and techniques for complex decongestive therapy as per EBM guidelines, adapted to different clinical situations
The Master in Lymphology for physical therapists leads to professionals specialised in recovery, re-education, and rehabilitation of lymphoedema, while the course for physicians allows them to be specialised in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of lymphoedema.
Based on new knowledge in physiopathology and the introduction of combinations of effective therapeutic strategies, in terms of reducing oedema and improving quality of life, students acquire professional skills as per evidence-based medicine (EBM) and have the opportunity to understand the effectiveness of treatments with rigorous measurement and evaluation scales.
The Master in Lymphology is meant for physicians and physical therapists, with two distinct courses based on specific professional skills.
A physical therapist with a Master’s degree in Lymphology becomes a specialised professional expert in the recovery, re-education, and rehabilitation of lymphoedema. He/she can use the advanced skills acquired in the Master’s programme in physical therapy practices (as a freelancer) or in rehabilitation units of the National Health System (NHS). For NHS professionals, the Master’s degree in Lymphology is a requirement to be hired for positions as a specialist professional regulated by Law no. 43/2006 and implemented by CCLN 2016-2018.
A physician with a Master’s degree in Lymphology becomes a specialised professional expert in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of lymphoedema. He/she can use the advanced skills acquired in the Master’s programme in a freelance capacity or in rehabilitation units of the National Health System (NHS). The Master’s degree in Lymphology can be used for career advancement in the national healthcare system.
The Master’s degree in Lymphology provides training in
- Anatomy of the Lymphatic System: embryology, histology, micro/macroanatomy, functional and topographic anatomy.
- Physiology of the Lymphatic System: fluid balance in extracellular matrix; histology and physiology of the lymphatic system, lymph composition and flow to the venous system.
- Elements of Medical Genetics: basics, mutations in syndromic and non-syndromic lymphoedema; clinical signs, diagnostic algorithms.
- Elements of Molecular Biology: molecular mechanisms of biological tissue development (cells, extracellular matrix, microcirculation, and lymphatic network); mechanotransduction.
- Elements of Biophysics: mechanical and thermodynamic laws governing physiological and pathophysiological phenomena; mechanical homeostasis, fluid mechanics; resistance of materials.
- Internal Medicine: pathologies of large systems and development of lymphoedema.
- Physiopathology of the Lymphatic System: mechanisms determining excess fluid and macromolecules in the extracellular matrix and lymphatic drainage deficit; pathophysiology of lymphoedema and lipoedema and the cardiovascular system.
- Secondary Lymphoedema in Cancer Patients: physiopathology, incidence, risk and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, guidelines.
- General, Visceral and Breast surgery: post-surgical lymphoedema; chronic oedema in vascular patients; breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction.
- Rehabilitation Part 1 – Primary and secondary lymphoedema, lipoedema: clinical signs, evaluation and diagnosis, treatment principles and therapeutic education. Elastic containment mechanisms, manual drainage with lymphofluoroscopic guidance. Rehabilitation after breast surgery. In addition, for physical therapists: manual drainage and bandaging workshops using various components.
- Research Methodology: statistical basics; experimental and qualitative research; evidence-based practice; research projects.
- Legal Medicine and Bioethics: medical, legal, deontological, and ethical aspects; clinical risk; level of disability.
- Nuclear Medicine (Lymphoscintigraphy): fundamentals, diagnostic interpretation; physical principles, properties of radioisotopes and gamma chambers.
- Lymphatic Surgery – Surgical Options: conceptual bases and evidence. Outcome assessment, post-surgical care.
- Skin Disorders in Patients with Lymphoedema: skin care, skin ulcers, hyperkeratosis, mycosis and other skin infections related to lymphangitis/dermo hypodermatitis.
- Nutrition in Lymphoedema and Lipoedema: interactions between lymphoedema and food intake, NaCL, carbohydrates, long-chain fatty acids; nutrition as a therapeutic strategy.
- Clinical Psychology: psychological, relational and communicative dimensions; team support.
- Pharmacology.
- Healthcare organisation: infrastructures, material and human resources, organisation in the intensive and long-term management of lymphoedema.
- Rehabilitation Part 2 – Therapeutic strategies and physical treatment of lymphoedema. Primary lymphoedema in paediatric age. Management of skin ulcers. In addition, for physicians: tool assessment workshops (ultrasound, elastometry, lymphofluoroscopy).
The table below shows the teaching structure of the Master’s programme.
The table also shows:
- The programme broken down by course year;
- Teachings and related modules;
- The relationships lecturers have to the various structures;
- The number of hours required for Physical Therapists and Doctors;
- The overall educational programme as shown in student commitment hours;
- Courses on basic subjects highlighted in yellow;
- Laboratory teaching activities highlighted in blue.
- Professor Luciana Caenazzo – Associate Professor of Legal Medicine, University of Padua (Director of Master’s Course);
- Professor Jean Paul Belgrado – Associate Professor at the Faculty of Motor Sciences, Free University of Brussels;
- Professor Giacomo Rossitto – Internal Medicine Researcher, University of Padua;
- Dr. Pamela Tozzo – Legal Medicine Researcher, University of Padua;
- Dr. Silvia Fontana – Physiatrist from A.ULSS 7 Pedemontana.
The general ranking of merit for the academic year 2025/26 will be published on the Italian page of this Master according to the timing provided in the Call.
Information
FAQ
The Master includes the following teaching activities in the two-year period:
- 344 hours of theoretical lessons (90 hours delivered in person and 254 hours online);
- 208 hours of laboratories (40 hours of preparatory lessons delivered online and 168 hours in person);
- 100 hours of observational internship in person at the preferred locations;
- 100 hours for the drafting of the project work;
- 50 hours for the preparation of the final exam.
The Master has signed an agreement with Azienda ULSS 7 Pedemontana.
Teaching will be delivered in a mixed mode (residential and online) with a variable percentage.
Basic subjects:
- approximately 70% online with a mainly evening schedule in the time slot 18:00-20:15 or 19:00-21:15 and on some Saturday mornings (approximately 3-4 hours);
● approximately 30% in person on 4 weekends in total (on Fridays and Saturdays).
Workshops:
- approximately 20% online with a mainly evening schedule in the time slot 18:00-20:15 or 19:00-21:15;
- approximately 80% in person.
The lessons on basic subjects held in person will take place at the University of Padua. The workshops will be held at the AULSS 7 Pedemontana.
To encourage the participation of participants from the national territory and to offer greater choice, locations have been identified in various Italian regions (Veneto, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Puglia) and some foreign ones (Austria, Belgium, France)
A good part of the laboratory hours planned for physiotherapists (about 50 hours) are focused on a practical part to perfect the technique of performing a multicomponent bandage involving the different parts of the body, deepening the characteristics of the materials used.