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Assessment of Breast Cancer-Related Arm Lymphedema

Conditions
Breast Cancer
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: ICG lymphography、CM、VD、Bioelectrical impedance technology、self-report
Diagnostic Test: Bioelectrical impedance technology、CM
Registration Number
NCT03978754
Lead Sponsor
Peking University People's Hospital
Brief Summary

Lymphedema is a serious complication of breast cancer treatment. Reported prevalence of lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer varies, ranging from 7-45%. The reason for the wide variation in the reported incidence of lymphedema is the different measurement techniques used and the absence of an agreed diagnostic criteria. Nowadays, the common method include limb circumference measurement、volume measurement、bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and self-report. Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages. A variety of publications have demonstrated the ability of bioimpedance to diagnose subclinical lymphedema. As a new method for detecting lymphedema, some study have also shown indocyanine green(ICG)lymphography can have a certain value for the detection of subclinical lymphedema. Early detection can reduce the incidence of late-stage lymphedema in postoperative patients. Therefore, we want to explore the ability of these methods. We are going to perform baseline arm circumference measurements and bioelectrical impedance measurements for all preoperative breast cancer patients in our center. In addition, the arm circumference measurement、volume measurement、bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) 、self-report and indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography will be performed on patients who go to the lymphedema clinic after breast cancer surgery. First, we want to establish the threshold and reference value range based on the impedance value of patients with lymphedema and people without lymphedema.Second, we are going to examine the relationship between the most commonly used methods of lymphedema and also to test which method is more sensitive for the diagnosis of clinical and subclinical lymphedema. Finally, we want to explore the ability of ICG lymphography in detecting sub-clinical lymphedema.

Detailed Description

Breast cancer is a common malignant disease that threatens the health of women. As a serious complication of breast cancer treatment, lymphedema is caused by chronic accumulation of lymph fluid in the interstitial spaces of the affected limb or surrounding areas. Reported prevalence of lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer varies, ranging from 7-45%. One reason for the wide variation in the reported incidence of lymphedema is the different measurement techniques used and the absence of an agreed diagnostic criteria. Nowadays, the common method include limb circumference measurement、volume measurement、bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and self-report. Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages. A variety of publications have demonstrated the ability of bioimpedance to diagnose subclinical lymphedema. As a new method for detecting lymphedema, some study have also shown indocyanine green(ICG)lymphography can have a certain value for the detection of subclinical lymphedema. Early detection can reduce the incidence of late-stage lymphedema in postoperative patients. Therefore, we want to explore the ability of these methods. We are going to perform baseline arm circumference measurements and bioelectrical impedance measurements for all preoperative breast cancer patients in our center. In addition, the arm circumference measurement、volume measurement、bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) 、self-report and indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography will be performed on patients who go to the lymphedema clinic after breast cancer surgery.First, we want to establish the threshold and reference value range based on the impedance value of patients with lymphedema and people without lymphedema.Second, we are going to examine the relationship between the most commonly used methods of lymphedema and also to test which method is more sensitive for the diagnosis of clinical and subclinical lymphedema. Finally, we want to explore the ability of ICG lymphography in detecting sub-clinical lymphedema.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
1600
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients with breast cancer who underwent axillary surgery.
  • Patients who have complaints about upper extremity lymphedema and are willing to undergo examination.
  • Sign the informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Bilateral breast cancer.
  • A history of allergy to contrast agents.
  • There are arteriovenous thrombosis in the affected limb.
  • Regional lymph node recurrence
  • Did not sign informed consent.
  • Serious heart, brain and other diseases.
  • The primary lymphatic system diseases (such as lymphatic leakage).
  • Only one side of the limb received ICG angiography.

The eligibility criteria for preoperative subjects diagnosed with breast cancer:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Preoperative subjects diagnosed with breast cancer at our breast center.

Exclusion Criteria:

• We strictly excluded all possible causes of lymphedema. Subjects whose clinical stage of lymph node is N2 or higher were excluded. Subjects with lymphedema -related diseases or kidney disease, inflammatory breast cancer, a history of axillary surgery, radiotherapy to the upper limbs or the chest wall, soft tissue infection, pregnancy, congestive heart-failure, administration of diuretics (which may have significantly changed the hydration status) and implanted devices (e.g., pacemakers), were also excluded.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Patients who visit clinicICG lymphography、CM、VD、Bioelectrical impedance technology、self-reportPostoperative patients who have undergone axillary surgery for breast cancer and went to clinic due to complaints of upper limb discomfort.(The expected number of subjects in this group is 300)
Preoperative breast cancer patientsBioelectrical impedance technology、CMPreoperative subjects diagnosed with breast cancer were enrolled as non-lymphedema group. (The expected number of subjects in this group is 1300)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The occurrence of lymphedema after follow-up2017-2022

Patients who don't develop lymphedema when the first visit to the lymphedema clinic, the occurrence of lymphedema after follow-up.

The incidence of lymphedema2017-2022

The incidence of lymphedema assessed by different methods when patients first visit clinic

Sensitivity and specificity of indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography2017-2022

Sensitivity means the ability of detecting patients with true lymphedema. Specificity means the ability of detecting non-lymphedema patients.

The cutoff value of BIS2017-2022

studies on the threshold value established by Inbody 720 device have been extremely limited. We aimed to determine its reference range and cutoff values.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Peking University People's Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

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