View clinical trials related to Lymphedema.
Filter by:The goal of this prospective study is to investigate the role of axillary reverse mapping (ARM) in radiation therapy planning of patients with breast cancer. Lymphedema is a common side effect after surgery and radiation therapy for breast cancer. The use of ARM is becoming more routine in surgery to differentiate the upper extremity lymphatics (UELs) from the breast axillary drainage to preferentially spare the UELs and reduce the rates of lymphedema.
The purpose of this research is to evaluate the result of treatment for neck lymphedema on throat pressure in patients who have received radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
this study aims to evaluate the outcomes of simultaneous free abdominal flap & vascularized lymph node transfer for both breast reconstruction and postmastectomy lymphedema
BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a pathologic soft tissue swelling that arises secondary to disruption of the lymphatic system. Lymphedema affects approximately 250 million people worldwide and causes significant physical and psychological morbidity. There is no definitive treatment for lymphedema. Lymphovenous bypass - microsurgically anastomosing lymphatic channels and venules - has demonstrated promising results in the treatment of lymphedema. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of lymphovenous bypass in treating extremity lymphedema. METHODS: This is a prospective, single-arm, cohort study. Eligible patients between 18-70 years of age with extremity lymphedema will undergo lymphovenous bypass. The primary outcome measure will be extremity volume and the secondary outcome measure will be quality of life assessed by a validated assessment tool for lymphedema of the limbs (LYMQOL). Patients will be assessed preoperatively and at 3, 6, 9, and 12-months postoperatively. Each participant will serve as their own control. Primary and secondary outcome measures will be assessed with paired t-tests. With a sample size of 9 patients we will have at least 80% power to reject the null hypothesis assuming an alpha level of 0.01. To further increase the power and to account for patients lost to follow-up the investigators will target a patient recruitment of 20. The findings of this study will help further elucidate the role of lymphovenous bypass in the treatment of extremity lymphedema.
This protocol will utilize the lymphedema indentometer, or durometer (a novel, noninvasive piece of equipment that measures skin elasticity), to better characterize disease progression in patients with lymphedema. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center patients who undergo treatment of lymphedema will be candidates for this noninvasive test. This device and the data it generates will help understand the incidence of lymphedema at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center compared to national data and the outcomes of surgical treatment of lymphedema.
Bio-electrical impedance analysis and Tissue Dielectric Constant measurements are objective methods in clinical usage to detect lymphedema in early stage. The aim of this study is to reveal comparative relation these two methods on detecting lymphedema in an early stage.The another aim of this study is to determine impedance ratios and lymphedema index (L-dex) by using bio-electrical impedance analysis in patients after breast cancer surgery.
The purpose of this study is to investigate which number of lymphedema therapy treatments/week best reduces upper extremity swelling, increased arm function, and reduces the most lymphedema symptoms.
This study is being conducted to determine if electro-acupuncture can reduce swelling of the arm due to breast cancer treatment (commonly referred to as 'lymphedema'). Research conducted on animals suggests that such treatment might be used to improve circulation leading to reductions in swelling. Previous research in humans with lymphedema suggests that treatment may be safe to use, although results regarding its efficacy in the reduction of swelling have not yet been established. This research will use sophisticated, non-invasive assessment methods to determine if a single session of electro-acupuncture treatment can be effective for reducing lymphedema. Results may be used to further develop our understanding of how electro-acupuncture can be used in the management of this condition. Electro-acupuncture may provide a promising complement or alternative to conventional lymphedema treatments such as compression bandaging, massage therapy or surgery.
Objectives: Specific Aim 1: Estimate the prevalence of head and neck lymphedema in patients who have been treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy (± chemotherapy) for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. Compare functional outcomes in patients with and without lymphedema using cross-sectional survey methods. Specific Aim 2: Evaluate the effect of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) provided in an outpatient setting or a home-based program in reducing lymphedema in patients previously treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy (± chemotherapy) for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer at 1, 3 and 6 months follow-up. Patient characteristics, treatment variables, and the health care environment will be analyzed as possible explanatory variables that influence the effect of lymphedema treatment. Specific Aim 3: Evaluate the effect of lymphedema treatment on symptom burden, self-image, and functional performance status in patients previously treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy (± chemotherapy) for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.
The purpose of this study is to determine how well different treatments for acquired lymphedema work. The study will compare 5 different non-invasive treatments for acquired lymphedema of the arm to see which treats lymphedema best.