The LYMPH Trial: Microsurgical vs. Conservative Treatment for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema
This study, called The LYMPH Trial, is looking at the best way to treat chronic lymphedema (swelling caused by fluid buildup) in the arm after breast cancer. It compares two types of surgery, LVA (Lymphovenous Anastomosis) and VLNT (Vascularised Lymph Node Transfer), with the current standard treatment, which is called Conservative Complex Physical Decongestion Therapy (CDT). The study wants to see if surgery improves your quality of life more than CDT after about a year. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older, have been diagnosed with breast cancer, have chronic lymphedema (Stage 1 or higher) for at least three months, and have already tried CDT for at least three months. The study aims to enroll 280 participants, but its current status is unclear.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study comparing surgical treatments to standard physical therapy. It plans to enroll 280 participants.
- What's involved
- Participants will complete quality of life questionnaires at the start of the study and again 15 months after being assigned to a treatment group.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Participants will be followed for 15 months after randomization to assess their quality of life.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
The LYMPH Trial - Microsurgical Versus Conservative Treatment of Chronic Breast Cancer Associated Lymphedema
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
36 sites across 22 statesStudy leadership
- Elisabeth Kappos, Prof. Dr. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Who to contact
Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.
Do you actually qualify for this trial?
Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.
Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- Change in Quality of Life Questionnaire (Lymph-ICF-UL)two time assessment at baseline and 15 month after randomization
The LYMPH-ICF-UL-Questionnaire (Lymphedema Functioning Disability and health questionnaire for upper limb lymphedema) is a widely used, rigorously developed, and validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument for chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema. It assesses the impairments in function, activity limitations and participation restrictions of patients with upper limb lymphedema (LE). Consisting of 29 items (questions) across five different domains, each item is scored on a VAS (visual analog scale) ranging from 0 to 10. The total score on the LYMPH-ICF is equal to the sum of the item scores divided by the total number of answered items. A higher score on the Lymph-ICF indicates a greater impact on the functioning in daily life related to upper limb LE. This questionnaire helps determine if lymphatic surgery improves quality of life and patient satisfaction compared to conservative therapy.