Lymphedema Surveillance Study

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Breast Cancer; Lymphedema

Treatments: Other: Body mass index (BMI); Other: Bilateral arm measurements; Behavioral: Quality of Life Questionnaire; Other: Blood draw

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02743858

16-220

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is being done to find out how many women develop lymphedema after an axillary lymph node dissection. The investigators also want to look for reasons why some women get lymphedema and others don't. Specifically, the investigators want to do tests on the breast tissue that is removed at the time of surgery to see if they can identify inflammation in the breast tissue, which may increase a woman's risk for lymphedema. The investigators will also ask the patient to answer questions to see how much their quality of life is affected by lymphedema, and whether this study can help women by detecting lymphedema earlier.

Enrollment: 1,250 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female breast cancer patients over the age of 18
• Patients consenting for unilateral axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) (prior history of sentinel lymph node biopsy allowed if <6 months from consent)
• Patients consenting for unilateral sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and possible ALND are eligible for initial entry into the study, but will become ineligible if ALND is not performed
• Initially consented patients, treated with SLNB alone, who were originally considered ineligible to continue on study, will be approached for re-enrollment
• Patients who self-identify as Black or White consenting for unilateral ALND or possible ALND will be approached for enrollment onto translational study (Cohort 3)

Exclusion criteria

• Male breast cancer patients
• Patients consenting for bilateral axillary surgery
• Patients with prior history of surgical excision of one or more axillary lymph nodes or SLNB, performed >6 months from date of consent
• Patients with prior history of ALND
• Patients with no breast surgery performed at MSK

Trial design

1,250 participants in 3 patient groups

Patients who consent for ALND

Description:

In patients treated with ALND, bilateral arm measurements will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) circumferential arm measurements with elastic tape taken at 4-cm intervals from the wrist to the shoulder \& the L-Dex U400 (Impedimed, Brisbane, Australia) for bioimpedance measurements. Measurements will be performed at baseline (prior to surgery), post-operatively (after surgery) \& at scheduled timepoints of 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, \& 24 months after surgery for a total of 2 years. For a patient who is diagnosed with lymphedema at ≥ 13 months after surgery, surveillance will continue for an additional 12 months after \[lymphedema\] diagnosis, \& total surveillance time may exceed 2 years. Height \& weight will be obtained for each patient at baseline \& at each scheduled visit for the purpose of calculating BMI. All patients will complete the ULL-27 (upper limb lymphedema) quality-of-life questionnaire at baseline \& at each scheduled visit.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Quality of Life Questionnaire

Other: Bilateral arm measurements

Other: Body mass index (BMI)

Patients treated with SLNB alone

Description:

Study requirements which include arm measurements, height and weight and completion of a questionnaire at a single long-term follow-up timepoint, will be explained to the patient

Treatment:

Behavioral: Quality of Life Questionnaire

Other: Bilateral arm measurements

Other: Body mass index (BMI)

ALND Translational Study Patients

Description:

Patients will also be counseled about blood draws, which will include withdrawal of up to 20 mL of blood. Patients who are eligible and agree to participate will sign a consent form. Arm measurements, height and weight, blood draw (if applicable), and baseline questionnaire will be performed at first contact if possible, or at a follow-up scheduled visit prior to surgery.

Treatment:

Other: Blood draw

Behavioral: Quality of Life Questionnaire

Other: Bilateral arm measurements

Other: Body mass index (BMI)