Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema

June 8, 2025 updated by: Zheng-Yu Hoe, MD., PhD., Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital.
This study will conduct clinical trials to explore the mechanisms behind the development of upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. The investigators will recruit patients who have undergone breast cancer surgery and utilize Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography and Lymphoscintigraphy to identify the locations of lymphatic blockages. Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) will be used to detect changes in tissue limb compliance. DXA body composition analysis will measure the differences in the composition ratios between edematous and normal limbs. In addition, diffusion correlation spectrometry will be employed to monitor changes in deep tissue blood flow, complemented by continuous measurements of limb circumference and other physiological parameters. The study aims to explore the interrelationships among lymphatic circulation, limb circumference, tissue compliance, and tissue blood flow rates.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Breast cancer ranks as the most common cancer among women in Taiwan. According to the cancer registry data of Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare, there were 16,325 new cases of breast cancer in 2016. Approximately one in 12 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Although the incidence rate is high, the survival rate after clinical treatment is also quite high. The five-year survival rate for early-stage breast cancer patients exceeds 90%, making it a highly manageable disease at present.

The incidence rate of breast cancer-related lymphedema is around 21.4%, and is expected to become increasingly common as the survival rate of patients improves. Aside from causing psychological distress, it also impairs a patient's work and daily life capabilities. Patients also have to bear additional medical expenses, which brings a significant financial burden to families. Current research supports that early detection and treatment are key to controlling breast cancer-related lymphedema. However, there is still a need for a clearer understanding of the risk factors causing lymphedema and the physiological changes that occur when it manifests, in order to achieve the goal of early detection.

This study will conduct clinical trials to investigate the mechanisms of upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. The investigators will recruit post-operative breast cancer patients and use Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography and Lymphoscintigraphy to detect lymphatic blockage locations; Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) to detect changes in tissue limb compliance; DXA body composition analysis to measure the differences in edema and normal limb composition ratios; and diffusion correlation spectrometry to measure deep tissue blood flow changes, along with continuous measurements of limb circumference and other physiological parameters. The study aims to explore the interrelationship among lymphatic circulation, limb circumference, tissue compliance, and tissue blood flow.

The expected results of this study can help the investigators understand the risk factors causing lymphedema and the physiological changes that occur when it manifests, overcome the current difficulties in early lymphedema detection, and develop effective monitoring methods and equipment. This will provide more possibilities for the early detection and treatment of future patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

300

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Contact

Study Locations

      • Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 81362
        • Recruiting
        • Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Zheng-Yu Hoe

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

This study aims to recruit 100 breast cancer patients (those who have previously undergone or are expected to undergo any form of breast resection surgery) for research purposes.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female patients who are expected to undergo breast cancer resection surgery or have already undergone breast resection surgery for breast cancer.
  • Absence of unhealed open wounds or other conditions unsuitable for tactile measurements within the measurement area.
  • No severe cognitive or emotional impairments.
  • No substance abuse (alcohol or drugs).
  • Females aged between 20 and 80, capable of fully complying with the requirements of this study plan.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of unhealed open wounds or other conditions unsuitable for tactile measurements within the measurement area.
  • Upper limb abnormalities in function (including joint mobility and muscle strength).
  • Significant cognitive, auditory, or expressive language issues that hinder comprehension and compliance with instructions.
  • Lack of assistance for daily measurements.

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

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
mastectomy
Expected to include female patients who are undergoing breast cancer resection surgery or those who have already undergone breast resection surgery for breast cancer.
lymphoscintigraphy
circumference measurement
B-mode sono and elastography
DXA body composition analysis

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
circumference
Time Frame: everyday, through study completion, an average of 1 year
Circumference measurements are taken and recorded at 2 cm intervals from the wrist crease to the armpit on both upper limbs
everyday, through study completion, an average of 1 year
Tissue compliance
Time Frame: every 1 week, through study completion, an average of 1 year
Measurements are taken every 5 cm from the wrist crease to the armpit on both upper limbs using ShearWave Elastography
every 1 week, through study completion, an average of 1 year
Lymphoscintigraphy
Time Frame: Once at the beginning of the study, and another assessment will be conducted six months later if there is a deterioration in lymphedema
Golden Standard for diagnosing lymphedema, used for detecting the location of lymphatic circulation blockage
Once at the beginning of the study, and another assessment will be conducted six months later if there is a deterioration in lymphedema
Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography
Time Frame: Once at the beginning of the study, and another assessment will be conducted 3 months later if there is a deterioration in lymphedema
Routine examination, used for detecting the type of lymphatic blockage
Once at the beginning of the study, and another assessment will be conducted 3 months later if there is a deterioration in lymphedema
DXA body composition analysis
Time Frame: Once at the beginning of the study, and another assessment will be conducted 3 months later if there is a deterioration in lymphedema
Using DXA to detect and compare the composition of both limbs at different stages after the onset of lymphedema, including changes in protein, fat, and mineral density
Once at the beginning of the study, and another assessment will be conducted 3 months later if there is a deterioration in lymphedema

Collaborators and Investigators

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

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)

October 24, 2022

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 28, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 18, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

September 21, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 11, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 8, 2025

Last Verified

June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

There is not a plan to make IPD available

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

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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