Lymphedema Surveillance Study

Launched by MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER · Apr 14, 2016

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Lymphedema Surveillance Study is looking at how many women develop lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling, after they have surgery to remove lymph nodes in the armpit area due to breast cancer. The researchers want to understand why some women experience this swelling while others do not. They will analyze the breast tissue removed during surgery for signs of inflammation, which might indicate a higher risk for lymphedema. Additionally, participants will answer questions about how lymphedema affects their daily lives, which could help in detecting this condition earlier and improving care for future patients.

To be eligible for this study, women must be over 18 years old and have breast cancer. They should be having a specific type of surgery called unilateral axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Women who identify as Black or White and consent to this surgery may also be invited to participate in a special part of the study. However, men, those having surgery on both sides, or anyone with a prior history of certain lymph node surgeries are not eligible. Participants can expect to contribute to important research that may lead to better understanding and management of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• 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