Predictors of Lymphedema Following Breast Cancer Surgery

HealthPartners Institute

Status: Completed

Conditions: Breast Cancer; Lymphedema

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT00202046

1728-03-B

DAMD17-03-0738

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study evaluate which factors play a role in lymphedema development among women who have had axillary surgery for breast cancer. Potential risk factors for women who have developed lymphedema will be compared to risk factors among women who have not developed lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.

Full description

Surgery for breast cancer includes removal of the breast tumor along with the axillary lymph nodes. The status of these nodes helps clinicians determine prognosis and guides treatment decisions. Unfortunately, a relatively common side effect following axillary lymph node dissection is upper-extremity lymphedema. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for lymphedema among women who have had axillary surgery for breast cancer. Specific aims include identifying risk factors for lymphedema and comparing quality of life (QOL) ratings for women who have and do not have lymphedema. A case-control study will be conducted with enrollment of 200 participants. Cases will be identified at their lymphedema consult in the physical therapy centers. Using the oncology registry, controls will include patients who have had breast cancer surgery and have not developed lymphedema. The severity of lymphedema and interference with daily life will be assessed with the Measure of Arm Symptom Survey (MASS), a patient-completed survey, and QOL will be collected with the SF-36. Treatment risk factors including previous surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy will be obtained from oncology registry data. This study will determine which factors play a role in lymphedema development.

Enrollment: 188 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of lymphedema
• Axillary node surgery by sentinel node or axillary node dissection
• No known metastatic disease in the axilla
• Able and willing to give informed consent

Trial design

188 participants in 2 patient groups

Patients with lymphedema

Description:

Identification of risk factors for lymphedema in women who have had axillary surgery for breast cancer.

Control patients without lymphedema

Description:

Controls matched on type of axillary surgery and surgery date for comparison in quality of life (QOL) ratings from women who have lymphedema.