Prospective surveillance using l-dex monitoring results in significant reductions in the chronic rate of breast cancer related-lymphedema (BCRL) in high-risk breast cancer patients.

Abstract

118 Background: Survivorship represents an increasing focus in the management of breast cancer with chronic toxicities including breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). This study looked at prospective surveillance using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) to reduce risks of chronic BCRL requiring referral for complete decongestive therapy (CDT). Methods: 132 patients at high-risk for the development of BCRL were prospectively followed using BIS with serial monitoring. This included a pre-operative baseline assessment and a minimum of two post-operative follow up assessments. Interventions were initiated when the L-Dex score increased by greater than 10 units from baseline and consisted of conservative treatment with a compression sleeve for four weeks. Patients were also clinically monitored for the development of BCRL. Results: Median follow-up was 19.3 months (range 4-54 mos). Of the 132 patients evaluated, 24 (18.1%) were subsequently diagnosed with elevated L-Dex scores and underwent intervention. Of the 24 that underwent treatment, 14 (58%) had resolution of their elevated L-Dex scores following four weeks of therapy with 10 having persistent elevations and clinical BCRL which necessitated referral to physical therapy for CDT. A further 7 subjects were diagnosed and not treated for elevated L-Dex scores, but had complete resolution (return to baseline) at last visit. At last follow-up, only 10 patients (7.6 %) had unresolved, clinical stage 1, BCRL. Conclusions: The use of L-Dex to prospectively follow our high-risk patients and prescribe intervention with a compression sleeve for 4 weeks when scores are elevated resulted in only a 7.6 % rate of stage 1, chronic BCRL. This rate of BCRL has been reported as 15-20%, suggesting that a prospective program of screening and intervention using L-Dex does result in clinically meaningful reductions in this long-term sequelae of treatment.