Multi-Parametric Assessment of Breast Lymphedema

Breast lymphedema (swelling due to fluid) is a common complication of breast cancer therapy. Unlike lymphedema in the arm, breast lymphedema is not as well-known and has not been studied. At present, no objective and standardized tools exist to evaluate breast lymphedema.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of ultrasound analysis and bio-impedance to determine if it is possible to measure the extent of the fluid in the breast.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Breast Cancer; Breast Lymphedema
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: non-invasive image & bioimpedance based techniques

Detailed Description

Breast lymphedema (swelling due to fluid) is a common complication of breast cancer therapy. Limited research has been conducted on the frequency of breast lymphedema with most studies reporting the incidence as ranging from 33 to 48%. Women with breast lymphedema describe breast fullness, heaviness and pain associated with breast swelling and changes that impacts how the breast looks (cosmesis) and also impacts their quality of life.

At present, no objective and standardized tools exist to evaluate breast lymphedema and correlate it with tissue fluid and fibrosis, and their relationships to local symptoms, cosmesis and quality of life.

The goal of the study is to assess and compare photographic, ultrasound and the breast composition in newly diagnosed breast lymphedema, and to assess the use of breast massage to manage breast lymphedema. Developing non-invasive image-based methods may enable researchers to map the extent of lymphedema, monitor its progression and evaluate therapies. This may allow for improved quantitate measures to be undertaken to better assess future strategies intended to prevent or improve the management of this treatment complication.

Patients participating in this study will have ultrasound scans before and after the massage. They will also be asked to complete a questionnaire.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 23

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2M9
      • Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Breast lymphedema Cancer patients with lymphedema

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 18 y/o
• Diagnosis of lymphedema involving the breast
• Diagnosis of in-situ or invasive breast cancer
• Female patients following breast conserving therapy and radiotherapy
• Spoken and written fluency in English; and
• Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pacemaker or implanted stimulator or other contraindication to bioimpedance analysis
• Prior breast surgery on the contra lateral breast
• Presence of active cellulitis within the breast, trunk or arm and
• Presence of active cancer

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Measure Mid-Band Fit (MBF) in normal tissue controls and the corresponding regions of lymphedema	The MBF, measured in dB, is a quantitative ultra-sound (QUS) image parameter used to characterize tissue microstructure	2 years
Measure Acoustic Scatterer Diameter (ASD) in normal tissue controls and the corresponding regions of lymphedema	The ASD, measured in mm, is a quantitative ultra-sound (QUS) image parameter used to characterize tissue microstructure	2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Robert Dinniwall, MD, UHN

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): January 1, 2016
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): January 3, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 2, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 24, 2016
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): March 31, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): November 27, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 25, 2019
• Last Verified: November 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Lymphatic Diseases; Lymphedema
• Other Study ID Numbers: UHN REB 14-8503-C