Lymphedema Surveillance Study

NCT ID: NCT02743858

Last Updated: 2025-07-01

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

1250 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-04-30

Study Completion Date

2026-04-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This study is being done to find out how many women develop lymphedema after an axillary lymph node dissection. The investigators also want to look for reasons why some women get lymphedema and others don't. Specifically, the investigators want to do tests on the breast tissue that is removed at the time of surgery to see if they can identify inflammation in the breast tissue, which may increase a woman's risk for lymphedema. The investigators will also ask the patient to answer questions to see how much their quality of life is affected by lymphedema, and whether this study can help women by detecting lymphedema earlier.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Breast Cancer Lymphedema

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Patients who consent for ALND

In patients treated with ALND, bilateral arm measurements will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) circumferential arm measurements with elastic tape taken at 4-cm intervals from the wrist to the shoulder \& the L-Dex U400 (Impedimed, Brisbane, Australia) for bioimpedance measurements. Measurements will be performed at baseline (prior to surgery), post-operatively (after surgery) \& at scheduled timepoints of 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, \& 24 months after surgery for a total of 2 years. For a patient who is diagnosed with lymphedema at ≥ 13 months after surgery, surveillance will continue for an additional 12 months after \[lymphedema\] diagnosis, \& total surveillance time may exceed 2 years. Height \& weight will be obtained for each patient at baseline \& at each scheduled visit for the purpose of calculating BMI. All patients will complete the ULL-27 (upper limb lymphedema) quality-of-life questionnaire at baseline \& at each scheduled visit.

Bilateral arm measurements

Intervention Type OTHER

Pts treated with ALND, bilateral arm measurements will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) circumferential arm measurements with elastic tape taken at 4-cm intervals from the wrist to the shoulder \& the L-Dex U400 (Impedimed, Brisbane, Australia) for bioimpedance measurements. Measurements will be performed before surgery, post-operatively \& at timepoints of 6,12,18, \& 24 months after surgery for 2 years will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) for bioimpedance measurements. Pts who have not yet developed lymphedema by 2 years, an additional measurement at approx 3 years post-surgery will be performed. If pt is diag with lymphedema at the 3-year visit, she will be asked to continue on study for an additional year. Pts treated with SLNB alone, following re-consent, a long-term follow-up volumetric arm measurement will be obtained using the perometer \& circumferential arm measurements at a minimum of 2 years post-surgery.

Body mass index (BMI)

Intervention Type OTHER

Height and weight will be obtained for each patient at baseline and at each scheduled visit for the purpose of calculating BMI. BMI will be correlated with the presence of inflammatory biomarkers in the tissue, as well as with lymphedema development.

Quality of Life Questionnaire

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Patients treated with SLNB alone

Study requirements which include arm measurements, height and weight and completion of a questionnaire at a single long-term follow-up timepoint, will be explained to the patient

Bilateral arm measurements

Intervention Type OTHER

Pts treated with ALND, bilateral arm measurements will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) circumferential arm measurements with elastic tape taken at 4-cm intervals from the wrist to the shoulder \& the L-Dex U400 (Impedimed, Brisbane, Australia) for bioimpedance measurements. Measurements will be performed before surgery, post-operatively \& at timepoints of 6,12,18, \& 24 months after surgery for 2 years will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) for bioimpedance measurements. Pts who have not yet developed lymphedema by 2 years, an additional measurement at approx 3 years post-surgery will be performed. If pt is diag with lymphedema at the 3-year visit, she will be asked to continue on study for an additional year. Pts treated with SLNB alone, following re-consent, a long-term follow-up volumetric arm measurement will be obtained using the perometer \& circumferential arm measurements at a minimum of 2 years post-surgery.

Body mass index (BMI)

Intervention Type OTHER

Height and weight will be obtained for each patient at baseline and at each scheduled visit for the purpose of calculating BMI. BMI will be correlated with the presence of inflammatory biomarkers in the tissue, as well as with lymphedema development.

Quality of Life Questionnaire

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

ALND Translational Study Patients

Patients will also be counseled about blood draws, which will include withdrawal of up to 20 mL of blood. Patients who are eligible and agree to participate will sign a consent form. Arm measurements, height and weight, blood draw (if applicable), and baseline questionnaire will be performed at first contact if possible, or at a follow-up scheduled visit prior to surgery.

Bilateral arm measurements

Intervention Type OTHER

Pts treated with ALND, bilateral arm measurements will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) circumferential arm measurements with elastic tape taken at 4-cm intervals from the wrist to the shoulder \& the L-Dex U400 (Impedimed, Brisbane, Australia) for bioimpedance measurements. Measurements will be performed before surgery, post-operatively \& at timepoints of 6,12,18, \& 24 months after surgery for 2 years will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) for bioimpedance measurements. Pts who have not yet developed lymphedema by 2 years, an additional measurement at approx 3 years post-surgery will be performed. If pt is diag with lymphedema at the 3-year visit, she will be asked to continue on study for an additional year. Pts treated with SLNB alone, following re-consent, a long-term follow-up volumetric arm measurement will be obtained using the perometer \& circumferential arm measurements at a minimum of 2 years post-surgery.

Body mass index (BMI)

Intervention Type OTHER

Height and weight will be obtained for each patient at baseline and at each scheduled visit for the purpose of calculating BMI. BMI will be correlated with the presence of inflammatory biomarkers in the tissue, as well as with lymphedema development.

Quality of Life Questionnaire

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Blood draw

Intervention Type OTHER

Patients enrolled in the translational study (Cohort 3) will undergo blood draws for serum collection preoperatively and 12-24 months postoperatively to test for FGF2, IL4, IL10, TGFB, Leptin, IL6, and CRP. At both timepoints, up to 20 mL of blood will be collected.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Bilateral arm measurements

Pts treated with ALND, bilateral arm measurements will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) circumferential arm measurements with elastic tape taken at 4-cm intervals from the wrist to the shoulder \& the L-Dex U400 (Impedimed, Brisbane, Australia) for bioimpedance measurements. Measurements will be performed before surgery, post-operatively \& at timepoints of 6,12,18, \& 24 months after surgery for 2 years will be obtained using the Perometer (Model 350 NT Perometer, Per-System) for bioimpedance measurements. Pts who have not yet developed lymphedema by 2 years, an additional measurement at approx 3 years post-surgery will be performed. If pt is diag with lymphedema at the 3-year visit, she will be asked to continue on study for an additional year. Pts treated with SLNB alone, following re-consent, a long-term follow-up volumetric arm measurement will be obtained using the perometer \& circumferential arm measurements at a minimum of 2 years post-surgery.

Intervention Type OTHER

Body mass index (BMI)

Height and weight will be obtained for each patient at baseline and at each scheduled visit for the purpose of calculating BMI. BMI will be correlated with the presence of inflammatory biomarkers in the tissue, as well as with lymphedema development.

Intervention Type OTHER

Quality of Life Questionnaire

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Blood draw

Patients enrolled in the translational study (Cohort 3) will undergo blood draws for serum collection preoperatively and 12-24 months postoperatively to test for FGF2, IL4, IL10, TGFB, Leptin, IL6, and CRP. At both timepoints, up to 20 mL of blood will be collected.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

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
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Andrea Barrio, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Consent only)

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Consent only)

Middletown, New Jersey, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Consent only)

Montvale, New Jersey, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack (Consent only)

Commack, New York, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Consent only)

Harrison, New York, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York, New York, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Consent only)

Uniondale, New York, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Andrea Barrio, MD

Role: CONTACT

646-888-5117

Babak Mehrara, MD

Role: CONTACT

212-639-8639

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Andrea Barrio, MD

Role: primary

646-888-5117

Andrea Barrio, MD

Role: primary

646-888-5117

Andrea Barrio, MD

Role: primary

646-888-5117

Andrea Barrio, MD

Role: primary

646-888-5117

Andrea Barrio, MD

Role: primary

646-888-5117

Andrea Barrio, MD

Role: primary

646-888-5117

Babak Mehrara, MD

Role: backup

212-639-8639

Andrea Barrio, MD

Role: primary

646-888-5117

Related Links

Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.

https://www.mskcc.org/

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

16-220

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Subclinical Lymphedema Treatment Study
NCT03292198 ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING NA
Axillary Reverse Mapping
NCT00572481 ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING PHASE2