Lymphedema in Endometrial Cancer

A Pilot Study of Postoperative Lower-extremity Lymphedema and Quality of Life Among Women Undergoing Endometrial Cancer Staging Surgery

Objectives: (1) To determine the incidence of lower-extremity lymphedema after staging surgery for endometrial cancer; (2) to describe lymphedema-related morbidity after staging surgery for endometrial cancer and (3) to evaluate pre- and post-operative quality of life in women with endometrial cancer who undergo staging surgery.

Data analysis and risk/safety issues: The proposed study will consist of a convenience sample of women who undergo minimally invasive surgery for endometrial cancer over a 1 year period. The investigators anticipate enrollment of 75 to 100 women. Frequency tables and difference with its 95% exact confidence intervals between pre-and post-operative lower extremity lymphedema measurements and quality of life questionnaires will be estimated.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. women older than 18 years old,
2. endometrial cancer,
3. suitable candidates for surgery,
4. scheduled to undergo laparoscopy or robotic-assisted (RA) laparoscopy for endometrial cancer at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC),
5. no severe physical or mental comorbidity

Exclusion Criteria:

1. metastatic disease,
2. laparotomy