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Lymphedema Surveillance Study
A Prospective Surveillance Program for Assessment and Treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema After Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · Women
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female breast cancer patients over the age of 18 * Patients consenting for unilateral axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) (prior history of sentinel lymph node biopsy allowed if \<6 months from consent) * Patients consenting for unilateral sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and possible ALND are eligible for initial entry into the study, but will become ineligible if ALND is not performed * Initially consented patients, treated with SLNB alone, who were originally considered ineligible to continue on study, will be approached for re-enrollment * Patients who self-identify as Black or White consenting for unilateral ALND or possible ALND will be approached for enrollment onto translational study (Cohort 3) Exclusion Criteria: * Male breast cancer patients * Patients consenting for bilateral axillary surgery * Patients with prior history of surgical excision of one or more axillary lymph nodes or SLNB, performed \>6 months from date of consent * Patients with prior history of ALND * Patients with no breast surgery performed at MSK
About the study
This study is being done to find out how many women develop lymphedema after an axillary lymph node dissection. The investigators also want to look for reasons why some women get lymphedema and others don't. Specifically, the investigators want to do tests on the breast tissue that is removed at the time of surgery to see if they can identify inflammation in the breast tissue, which may increase a woman's risk for lymphedema. The investigators will also ask the patient to answer questions to see how much their quality of life is affected by lymphedema, and whether this study can help women by detecting lymphedema earlier.
What is being tested
- Bilateral arm measurements (other)
- Body mass index (BMI) (other)
- Quality of Life Questionnaire (behavioral)
- Blood draw (other)
Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Participants: 1,250 · Started: 2016-04
Contact the study team
- Andrea Barrio, MD · Phone: 646-888-5117
- Babak Mehrara, MD · Phone: 212-639-8639
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT02743858
Locations in the U.S.
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.