Arm Circumference Measurement With or Without Bioimpedance Spectroscopy in Finding Lymphedema Early in Patients With Stage I-III Breast Cancer

A Pilot Randomized Trial Comparing Arm Circumference and Bioimpedance Measurement for Early Detection and Treatment of Lymphedema in Patients Undergoing Axillary Lymph Node Dissection or Sentinel Node Biopsy

This randomized pilot clinical trial studies arm circumference measurement with or without bioimpedance spectroscopy in finding extra lymph node fluid build up in the arm (lymphedema) early in patients with stage I-III breast cancer undergoing lymph node dissection or sentinel node biopsy. Diagnostic procedures, such as bioimpedance spectroscopy, may allow doctors to find and diagnose lymphedema earlier than arm circumference measurement alone.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To test, in a randomized controlled trial, the ability of the enhanced lymphedema (LE) detection program (ELED) versus arm circumference alone to detect early/reversible LE.

II. To compare the severity of LE in terms of changes in arm circumference at the site of greatest difference and L-Dex change, between the two detection modalities.

III. To assess the agreement between patients' self-report of swelling (mild, moderation and severe) and the extent of circumferential measurement/bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) difference.

IV. To compare the percentage of subjects with complete resolution of signs and symptoms of LE following treatment with a compression garment between the enhanced vs. standard detection groups.

V. To determine compliance with LE preventive care and treatment.

Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms: those undergo arm circumference measurement only and those undergoing undergo arm circumference measurement and bioimpedance spectroscopy. Measurements taken at 4, 10, 16, 22, 28, and 34 months.

In both arms, if lymphedema is diagnosed, patients are given a compression garment to wear daily for 6 weeks. If lymphedema does not improve after 6 weeks, patients undergo complete decongestive therapy over approximately 1 hour three times a week. Patients complete remedial exercises comprising active, repetitive range of motion of the involved extremity and light aerobic conditioning until extremity volume stabilizes or improves. Patients are also instructed to perform exercises at home.

After completion of study, patients diagnosed with lymphedema are followed up for 1 year.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Newly diagnosed with stage I-III cancer of the female breast
• Patients scheduled to receive any type of radiation therapy to the breast or axilla are eligible; however, they must be registered to this study with pre-surgery measures taken prior to receiving neoadjuvant therapy as well as before surgery
• Patients scheduled to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy are also eligible; however, they must be registered to this study with pre-surgery measurements taken prior to receiving neoadjuvant therapy as well as before surgery
• Patients with a history of other invasive malignancies are eligible as long as they have no evidence of disease 5 years post-diagnosis
• Patients with basal cell and squamous cell cancer of the skin are eligible
• Patients willing to return to the study site for the duration of the study (34 months)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women
• Patients who are homebound or dependent upon a walker or wheelchair for mobility
• Patients diagnosed enhanced lymphedema
• Hypertensive patients who are using diuretics
• Documented cardiac conduction disturbances, unstable angina, dementia, or any other chronic disease which, in the opinion of the treating physician, significantly increases mortality over the next 2 years
• Prior history of carcinoma in situ, lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or invasive breast cancer