A Prospective Cohort Study of Patients Undergoing ALND for Treatment of Breast Cancer: The Efficacy of a Comprehensive Prevention Program in Decreasing the Incidence of Lymphedema and Improving Quality of Life

Summary

The purpose of this study to test whether a comprehensive program may help the lymph fluid to drain out of the arm and prevent lymphedema in participants with breast cancer.

Eligibility

Age range

18–75 years

Sex

Female

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Procedure
  Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction

  Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction will happen at the time of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

• Diagnostic Test
  Volumetric arm measurements

  Volumetric arm measurements will occur at each in-person postoperative visit time points.

• Other
  Lymphatic massage

  Participants will begin self-directed lymphatic massage 24 to 48 h after surgery and will continue to do lymphatic massage 3 times a week for 3 months after surgery or until 3 months after any adjuvant treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.) are completed

• Other
  Range of motion exercises

  Participants will begin self-directed lymphatic massage 24 to 48 h after surgery and will continue to do lymphatic massage 3 times a week for 3 months after surgery or until 3 months after any adjuvant treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.) are completed

• Other
  Compression garment use

  Participants will use compression garments 24 to 48 h after surgery and will continue daily use for at least 8 h a day for 3 months or until 3 months after any adjuvant treatments are completed

Locations (7)