Evaluation of BIS for Quantification of Lymphedema

Evaluation of the Validity of BIS as a Tool for Quantification of Lymphedema Through Comparison With Perometry and Self-Report

The purpose of this study is to determine whether measuring the fluid in your arms using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy is as effective at detecting and monitoring lymphedema as measurements with the Perometer. The investigators will also evaluate any symptoms you may experience in your arms during and after treatment for breast cancer with a questionnaire.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Breast Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Bioimpedance Spectroscopy

Detailed Description

During the study whenever you have an arm volume measurement using the Perometer, we will also measure the fluid in your arms using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy. These measurements are made by passing a harmless electrical signal of very low strength through your body to determine the difference in the amount of fluid in each arm. The test is simple and painless, and takes about 3 minutes. In addition, whenever you have an arm measurement, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire. While completing the questionnaire, you can skip any questions you do not wish to answer. The questionnaires will take about 10 minutes to complete. Arm measurements with the Perometer and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy and completion of the questionnaire will occur every 4-7 months when you are at MGH for regular medical visits.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 270

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
      • Massachusetts General Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Subjects with histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer who will be returning routinely for follow-up at Massachusetts General Hospital

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed invasive or in-situ carcinoma of the breast
• Participants must have undergone sentinel node mapping or axillary dissection
• Life expectancy of greater than 1 year.
• Willingness to comply with required follow up Perometer and BIS measurements and completion of LEFT-BC questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have known metastatic disease or other locally advanced disease in the thoracic or cervical regions
• Any patient who will not be returning routinely for follow-up at MGH or DFHCC
• Participants with known brain metastases will be excluded from this clinical trial because of their poor prognosis and because they often develop progressive neurologic dysfunction that would confound the evaluation of neurologic and other adverse events
• History of primary lymphedema
• History of prior surgery or radiation to the head, neck, upper limb, or trunk
• Participants who have evidence that axillary lymph node malignancy is causing lymphedema due to recurrence as per physician discretion
• Any patient who has bilateral lymph node mapping or dissection
• Any patient with a current case of cellulitis
• Patients with a history of a different malignancy are ineligible except for the following circumstances. Individuals with a history of other malignancies are eligible if they have been disease-free for at least 5 years and are deemed by the investigator to be at low risk for recurrence of that malignancy. Individuals with the following cancers are eligible if diagnosed and treated within the past 5 years: cervical cancer in situ, and basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
BIS; Subjects evaluated using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy	Other: Bioimpedance Spectroscopy; BIS used to measure fluid in arm

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Correlation of Impedance Ratios Obtained Through Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) With Perometric Relative Arm Volume Change (RVC)	Correlation of volumetric measurements obtained using Perometry with impedance ratios obtained through BIS at the baseline examination and during follow-up visits. Impedance ratios will also be correlated with symptoms indicated in the LEFT-BC questionnaires completed during each examination. Volumetric arm measurements from perometry will be quantified using the RVC formula, which will be compared with impedance ratios calculated using the BIS device software.	5 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Compare Relationship Between Lymphedema Diagnostic Criteria Corresponding to BIS, Perometry, and Self-reported Symptoms	Relationship among diagnostic criteria pertaining to BIS, perometry, and self-reported symptoms. A change of >3 Standard Deviations in impedance ratios compared to pre-surgical baseline is considered diagnostic for lymphedema when BIS is utilized. A relative volume change of >5% - >10% compared to baseline is considered lymphedema by perometry. Self-report of symptoms including feelings of swelling, heaviness, and tightness are often considered as criteria for lymphedema.	5 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Gillespie TC, Roberts SA, Brunelle CL, Bucci LK, Bernstein MC, Daniell KM, Naoum GN, Miller CL, Taghian AG. Comparison of perometry-based volumetric arm measurements and bioimpedance spectroscopy for early identification of lymphedema in a prospectively-screened cohort of breast cancer patients. Lymphology. 2021;54(1):1-11.

Helpful Links

• Gillespie 2021 Publication Link

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2011
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 12, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 28, 2012
• First Posted (Estimated): March 5, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 27, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 25, 2024
• Last Verified: June 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Lymphatic Diseases; Lymphedema
• Other Study ID Numbers: 11-325