Education With or Without Exercise and Counseling in Preventing Lymphedema in Women With Stage I, Stage II, or Stage III Breast Cancer Who Are Undergoing Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

Study Summary

This randomized phase III trial studies how well education with or without physical therapy intervention works in preventing lymphedema in women with stage I, II, or III breast cancer who are undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (surgery to remove lymph nodes found in the armpit region). Lymphedema is a condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged, or removed by surgery. A personalized physical therapy intervention and education materials may be better than education materials alone in preventing lymphedema in women with breast cancer who are undergoing axillary lymph node dissection.

Primary Outcome

To test, in a group randomized controlled trial, the efficacy of this program versus education only in reducing the incidence of lymphedema. Reported here is the proportion of patients who are lymphedema-free 18 months after randomization between the two arms

Interventions

• OTHER educational intervention
• OTHER quality of life assessment
• PROCEDURE Physical therapy