Symptom Management After Breast Cancer Surgery

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (RDBPCT) of the Effectiveness of the Lidocaine Patch in the Management of Neuropathic Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery

This trial is part of a larger, longitudinal study of symptoms that occur in the breast surgical scar area and/or ipsilateral arm following breast cancer surgery. Women who develop pain in the breast scar area or ipsilateral arm will be randomized to a placebo patch or a lidocaine patch that they will wear on a daily basis for 12 weeks. We hypothesize that women who wear the lidocaine patch will report a decrease in pain and decreased interference with function compared to women who wear the placebo patch.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult women >18 years who develop neuropathic pain in the breast scar area and/or ipsilateral arm following breast cancer surgery
• Has a healed incision(s)
• Has no recurrent disease in the painful area
• Is able to read, write and understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of another type of pain that is more severe than the neuropathic pain
• Use of an opioid analgesic of greater than 60 mg codeine/day
• Is actively trying to become pregnant
• Has a medical contraindication to the use of lidocaine
• Has an allergy to lidocaine
• Is taking a coanalgesic for neuropathic pain.