Skin/Soft Tissue Elasticity in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors With Lymphedema and Fibrosis

February 7, 2022 updated by: Kenneth Niermann, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Assessing Skin/Soft Tissue Elasticity in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

This research trial studies skin/soft tissue elasticity in head and neck cancer survivors with lymphedema and fibrosis. Lymphedema and fibrosis is a common effect of head and neck cancer which may lead to skin tightness, pain, and body image issues. Early detection of lymphedema and fibrosis may help reduce serious functional loss of the neck. Shear wave elastography is a technique that provides a quantitative measure of stiffness using a push pulse to generate shear waves within the tissues. Conventional imaging techniques are then used to monitor the shear waves generated through the tissue to calculate the shear wave speed. Shear wave elastography may help obtain an early and accurate measurement of tissue elasticity in head and neck cancer survivors.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To obtain pilot data of the elasticity of skin/soft tissues using shear wave elasticity at the defined anatomical sites in head and neck cancer survivors with lymphedema and fibrosis (LEF).

II. To explore the correlation between elasticity of skin/soft tissues and the following: 1) symptoms as measured by the Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Survey-Head and Neck (LSIDS-HN); 2) functional impact as measured by Cervical Range of Motion Device and the Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey; and 3) physical exam findings as measured by Head and Neck LEF Grading Criteria.

OUTLINE:

Participants will be evaluated for LEF status using the Head and Neck External Lymphedema - Fibrosis (HN-LEF) Grading Criteria and neck range of motion using the Cervical Range of Motion Device. Participants also complete study questionnaires, including Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey (VHNSS) and Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Survey - Head and Neck (LSIDS-H&N). Participants undergo ultrasound shear wave elastography over 20-25 minutes. Participants' cancer disease and treatment information will be gathered from their medical records.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

80

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Tennessee
      • Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
        • Vanderbilt University/Ingram Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

22 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults 22 years and older that are head and neck cancer survivors and have lymphedema and fibrosis.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Histologically confirmed cancer involving the head and neck
  • Completed all therapy
  • No evidence of cancer (NED)
  • Ability to understand English in order to complete questionnaires
  • Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Have medical record documentation of significant cognitive impairment that would preclude the ability to provide informed consent
  • Are unwilling to undergo the study assessment
  • Have recurrent and/or metastatic cancer

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Only
  • Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Skin/soft tissue elasticity assessment
Participants will be evaluated for LEF status using the HN-LEF Grading Criteria and neck range of motion using the Cervical Range of Motion Device. Participants also complete study questionnaires, including VHNSS and LSIDS-H&N. Participants undergo ultrasound shear wave elastography over 20-25 minutes. Participants' cancer disease and treatment information will be gathered from their medical records.
Procedure: Medical Examination
Evaluation of secondary lymphedema and fibrosis (LEF) status
Other Names:
  • Exam
  • Examination
  • Medical Assessment
  • Medical Exam
  • Medical Inspection
Other: Questionnaire Administration
Completion of questionnaires
Procedure: Shear Wave Elastography
Undergo ultrasound shear wave elastrography
Other Names:
  • Transient Elastography

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Elasticity values
Time Frame: Within 2 weeks of initial study visit
Descriptive statistics will be used to describe data from elasticity measure. Of particular interest will be the measures of central tendency and variability at the multiple sites. Sites with higher variability (coefficient of variation) that others may be indicative of less reliable assessment.
Within 2 weeks of initial study visit

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Strength of associations of tissue elasticity and current conventional methods
Time Frame: Within 2 weeks of initial study visit
Correlation coefficients will be used to assess the strength of the associations of the elasticity values with the respective LEF grades (HN-LEF) for the respective sites. Those values will also be correlated with Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey and HN-LSIDS symptom and Cervical Range of Motion scores. Due to the large number of correlations proposed in this study, effect sizes (strength of the associations) and clinically significant patterns will be of much greater importance than statistical significance.
Within 2 weeks of initial study visit

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Collaborators

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Kenneth Niermann, Vanderbilt University/Ingram Cancer Center

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 1, 2016

Primary Completion (Actual)

April 1, 2019

Study Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 3, 2016

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 3, 2016

First Posted (Estimate)

February 8, 2016

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 9, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 7, 2022

Last Verified

February 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • VICC HN 15135 (Other Identifier: Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center)
  • P30CA068485 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • NCI-2016-00069 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program))

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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