Pycnogenol for the Treatment of Lymphedema

Treatment of Arm Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Double-Blind, Randomized Study of Pycnogenol vs. Placebo

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effectiveness of Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract) for arm lymphedema in women following treatment for breast cancer, to evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of bioelectric impedence as a measurement of lymphedema of the arm, and to validate the proposed arm lymphedema quality-of-life questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria:

• > 6 months from last surgical and/or radiation treatment to the affected axilla
• Unilateral lymphedema of the upper extremity

Exclusion Criteria:

• May not be receiving or be scheduled to receive cytotoxic or radiation chemotherapy treatment while on this study