Prevention of breast cancer-related lymphoedema following axillary lymph node clearance
Investigation of the use of manual lymphatic drainage in addition to skin care, compression garments and exercise in the prevention of breast cancer related lymphoedema in patients who have had axillary node clearance for breast cancer.
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
178 participants
Oct 1, 2011
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
To discover whether specialised arm massage, known as manual lymphatic drainage, is helpful in addition to standard measures in preventing arm swelling after axillary node clearance as part of surgical treatment of breast cancer.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- Patients undergoing axillary lymph node clearance for primary operable breast cancer
Exclusion Criteria4
- Recurrent breast cancer
- Previous axillary surgery
- Previous axillary radiotherapy
- Previous axillary/arm pathology leading to arm volume changes
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Interventions
Manual lymphatic drainage, performed initially by lymphoedema-trained physiotherapists who will also instruct patients how to perform manual lymphatic drainage, to be done on a daily basis, for less than one hour for six weeks postoperatively. Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialised form of massage designed to assist drainage of the excess lymph fluid from the upper chest and arm. It is a very light skin massage (as opposed to deep tissue/sports-type massage) and hence can be performed by a trained physiotherapist but also by patients themselves.
Locations(1)
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ACTRN12612000639820