Evaluatıon of sympathetıc Nervous System fındıngs and theır relatıonshıp wıth Symptoms ın patıents wıth Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Marmara University

Status

Completed

Conditions

Lymphedema, Breast Cancer

Treatments

Other: CASE GROUP

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT07019740

MarmaraU.FTR.N.T.

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sympathetic nervous system, small fiber functions and autonomic symptoms in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema and to investigate the relationship between these findings and patients' symptoms.

Full description

This observational cross-sectional study aims to evaluate sympathetic nervous system activity, small fiber function, and autonomic symptoms in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema.

Electrophysiological parameters, including Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) and Cutaneous Silent Period (CSP), will be recorded from both the affected and unaffected limbs using standardized neurophysiological techniques. Additionally, autonomic symptoms will be assessed using the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (COMPASS-31), and the impact of lymphedema on daily life will be evaluated with the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale (LLIS).

The study hypothesizes that sympathetic dysfunction and small fiber involvement may contribute to the pathophysiology of lymphedema and correlate with subjective symptoms such as pain, heaviness, and tightness.

Findings from this study are expected to provide insights into the potential role of the autonomic nervous system in breast cancer-related lymphedema and may support future consideration of sympathetic nervous system-targeted treatments.

Enrollment

52 patients

Sex

Female

Ages

18 to 75 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patient age group between 18-75 years
To have been diagnosed with breast cancer-related lymphedema by imaging and/or clinical diagnostic methods

Exclusion criteria

History of upper extremity lymphedema due to causes other than breast cancer

Lymphedema in other body parts
Diagnosis of polyneuropathy or entrapment neuropathy in the upper extremity
Presence of active infection at the assessment site
Presence of congenital or acquired malformations at the evaluation site
Those with any medical condition that may cause edema, such as severe heart or kidney failure