Risk factors for lymphoedema after breast cancer v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating risk factors for radiotherapy toxicity in breast cancer patients
IRAS ID
343242
Contact name
Marianne Aznar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Arm swelling (lymphoedema) can occur when axillary lymph nodes in the armpit are removed during breast cancer surgery or treated with radiotherapy. Arm swelling happens because fluid builds up in the arm and cannot drain away. Arm swelling may happen immediately after surgery and/or chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy or it can happen in the years following. Arm swelling can cause numbness, pain, difficulty using the arm and can reduce quality of life. The condition cannot be cured, but can be managed with compression bandages and elastic sleeves.
Arm swelling occurs in some women after surgery and/or radiotherapy, but not all. We need better ways to predict who is more likely to get arm swelling so we can monitor these women to detect arm swelling early. Picking up the arm swelling up earlier can mean it is easier to treat. We may also be able to use this information to better understand why some women go on to get arm swelling, and how we might make this less likely to happen for women treated in the future.
The BEA study followed up women who had had breast cancer treatment over several years and monitored them for the development of arm swelling. Some women also agreed to have a blood sample taken during the study, to be tested later to see if there were any genetic changes which linked to the development of arm swelling. This study will analyse the blood samples and other data from the study such as treatment and arm swelling. We will use this information to try to improve our understanding of who develops arm swelling and why, this may lead to improvements in diagnosis and treatment of arm swelling for women treated in the future. No new patients will be involved.REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0548
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jul 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion