Condition

Lymphedema clinical trials and research

• 46Clinical trials
• 29NIH research projects
• 1New in 30 days
• 14Countries

Newest Lymphedema clinical trials

All recruiting trials (46)

• Use of reconstructive microsurgery to treat lymphedema

  This study tests whether reconstructive microsurgery, with or without the help of indocyanine green imaging, can help people with lymphedema feel and function better by improving lymphatic drainage.

  Recruiting Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli · Bologna · NCT07889856

• Predicting lymphedema risk in inflammatory breast cancer patients using preoperative body impedance analysis

  This study tests whether a preoperative bioimpedance test can help identify IBC patients who are at risk for developing lymphedema.

  Recruiting M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · Houston, Texas · NCT07855627

• Boosted compression for lower limb edema

  This study tests whether applying a multicomponent short-stretch bandage three times daily (boosted compression) helps reduce edema faster in people with chronic edema or lymphedema of the legs, compared with the standard single daily bandage.

  Recruiting at 4 sites Universiteit Antwerpen · Edegem, Antwerp and 3 other locations · NCT07708662

• Erector Spinae Block vs Paravertebral Block for Chronic Pain After Mastectomy

  This trial tests whether an erector spinae block can better prevent chronic pain after mastectomy than a paravertebral block in adults 18–80.

  Recruiting American University of Beirut Medical Center · Beirut · NCT07561411

• Resistance exercise for people with lower-limb lymphedema

  This study tests whether short periods of supervised resistance exercise, with and without compression garments, change swelling or symptoms in people with lower-limb lymphedema.

  Recruiting Herlev and Gentofte Hospital · Herlev · NCT07558317

• Tracking body composition changes after breast cancer treatment

  This project will see how muscle mass and fat distribution change over two years in adults treated for stage I–III breast cancer.

  Recruiting Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation · New Taipei City, Xindian Dist · NCT07472803

• Virtual reality gait exercises for lower limb lymphedema (LELO)

  This trial will test whether adding VR-assisted gait training to standard Complex Decongestive Therapy helps adults with unilateral stage 2–3 lower limb lymphedema walk better, reduce swelling, and improve quality of life.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital · Ankara and 1 other locations · NCT07472543

• Head and neck lymphedema treatment using the Symani robotic system

  This study tests whether the Symani Surgical System can safely and effectively help connect small blood and lymph vessels during head and neck lymphatic reconstruction.

  Recruiting MMI (Medical Microinstruments, Inc.) · Kiel · NCT07311876

• Lymphovenous anastomosis for lower-leg lymphedema

  This trial will test whether adding lymphovenous anastomosis surgery to ongoing compression care can reduce swelling and improve quality of life for adults with early-stage lower-leg lymphedema who have finished complete decongestive therapy.

  Recruiting Herlev and Gentofte Hospital · Odense, Fyn and 1 other locations · NCT07073586

• GLP-1 medicines for upper and lower limb lymphedema

  This study will try GLP-1 receptor agonist medications to see if they improve symptoms and quality of life for adults with upper or lower limb lymphedema.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Early Phase 1 Advanced Reconstructive Surgery Alliance · Red Bank, New Jersey and 1 other locations · NCT07012642

• Preventing lymphedema through immediate lymphatic reconstruction during surgery

  This study is testing if a new surgery technique called immediate lymphatic reconstruction can help prevent lymphedema in patients with invasive breast cancer after they have lymph nodes removed.

  Recruiting Phase 2 M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · Houston, Texas · NCT06989099

• Reversing radiotherapy-related fibrosis and lymphedema in head and neck cancer survivors

  This trial will test whether adding one of several drugs (pravastatin, pentoxifylline, ketoprofen, or pirfenidone) to standard care can prevent or reduce radiation-related fibrosis and lymphedema in people treated for head and neck cancer.

  Recruiting Phase 2 M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · Houston, Texas · NCT06912763

• Symani robotic system for microsurgical and lymphatic anastomosis

  This trial will try the Symani robot to help surgeons connect tiny blood and lymph vessels during free flap and lymphedema surgeries for adults who need microsurgical anastomosis.

  Recruiting MMI (Medical Microinstruments, Inc.) · Melbourne, Victoria · NCT06866197

• Expanding access to microsurgery with the Symani robotic system

  This study will test the Symani robotic system to help surgeons sew very small blood vessels during free-flap and lymphovenous surgeries in adults.

  Recruiting at 8 sites MMI (Medical Microinstruments, Inc.) · Beverly Hills, California and 7 other locations · NCT06725030

• Comparing two nerve-block options to reduce pain after total mastectomy.

  This test tries whether a PECS-II block given before surgery or a pectoral block given during surgery, using bupivacaine or liposomal bupivacaine, provides better pain control after total mastectomy for breast cancer or high-risk patients.

  Recruiting Phase 4 University of Cincinnati · Cincinnati, Ohio · NCT06574022

• Prophylactic pravastatin versus pentoxifylline plus vitamin E to prevent radiation-related lymphedema and fibrosis

  This trial will test whether taking pravastatin or taking pentoxifylline with vitamin E can reduce radiation-related lymphedema and fibrosis in adults receiving radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer.

  Recruiting Phase 2 M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · Houston, Texas · NCT06494111

• Evaluation of a new portable compression device for lymphedema

  This study is testing a new portable compression device to see if it helps people with lymphedema and chronic venous issues feel better.

  Recruiting Koya Medical, Inc. · New York, New York · NCT06418282

• Developing a treatment protocol for chronic lymphedema after breast cancer surgery

  This study is trying to create a clear treatment plan for managing chronic lymphedema after breast cancer surgery to help improve patients' lives and make it easier for them to get insurance coverage for the care they need.

  Recruiting University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · Basel · NCT06374745

• Examining cardiovascular and lymphatic systems in women with Turner Syndrome

  This study is testing how the heart and lymphatic systems work in women with Turner Syndrome to see if there are any problems that could lead to health issues.

  Recruiting University of Aarhus · Aarhus N · NCT06325618

• Understanding why some breast cancer patients feel swelling without measurable lymphedema

  This study is trying to understand why some breast cancer patients feel swelling in their arms or chest even when tests show they don't have lymphedema, to help improve their care.

  Recruiting Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven · Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant · NCT06324721

• Using pedal pump therapy for leg lymphedema in older adults

  This study is testing whether a new pedal pump therapy can help older adults with leg swelling from lymphedema feel better by moving fluid more effectively.

  Recruiting Rowan University · Stratford, New Jersey · NCT06235463

• Investigating gut microbiota in patients with limb lymphedema and recurrent infections

  This study looks at how the bacteria in the gut might be linked to limb lymphedema and repeated infections in patients to see if there are any important differences between those who have infections and those who don’t.

  Recruiting Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS · Rome · NCT06228937

• Program to prevent lymphedema after breast cancer surgery

  This study is testing a prevention program to help women who have breast cancer surgery avoid lymphedema by using treatments like lymphatic massage and special garments.

  Recruiting at 7 sites Phase 3 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations · NCT06144164

• Upfront treatment for breast cancer with nodal metastases

  This study is testing if starting treatment with surgery and targeted therapy can help women with early-stage breast cancer that has spread to their lymph nodes live longer and have fewer recurrences.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Phase 2 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · Los Angeles, California and 2 other locations · NCT06092892

• Pectoral nerve block versus thoracic paravertebral block to prevent chronic pain after mastectomy

  This trial will test whether a pectoral (PECS) block or a thoracic paravertebral (TPVB) block given during mastectomy better prevents long-term chest, axillary, or arm pain in adult women.

  Recruiting Assiut University · Asyut · NCT06082206

• Understanding breast cancer-related lymphedema

  This study is trying to understand what causes swelling in the arms of women after breast cancer surgery by using special imaging techniques to look at how lymphatic fluid moves and how the tissues feel.

  Recruiting Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. · Kaohsiung City · NCT06046365

• Using shock wave and electromagnetic therapies to treat lymphedema

  This study is testing if shock wave and electromagnetic therapies can help people with lymphedema reduce swelling and improve their condition over a year.

  Recruiting Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. · Kaohsiung City · NCT06041958

• Testing lipoprotein levels in patients with lymphedema

  This study is testing if people with lymphedema have higher levels of a certain type of fat in their blood that could increase their risk of heart problems.

  Recruiting Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice · Nice, France and 1 other locations · NCT05962827

• Using inelastic compression to treat edema after leg surgery

  This study is testing if a new type of compression can help reduce swelling in the legs after surgery for people with lymphedema.

  Recruiting Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice · Nice, France · NCT05910411

• Evaluating a new surgical approach for upper arm lymphedema

  This study is testing if adding a special collagen mesh to standard surgery can help people with upper arm lymphedema feel better and reduce swelling.

  Recruiting Fibralign Corporation · Stanford, California · NCT05695924

• Understanding lymphatic dysfunction in lymphedema

  This study is trying to understand the differences in lymphatic problems between inherited and cancer-related lymphedema to find new ways to help patients feel better.

  Recruiting University Hospital, Toulouse · Toulouse · NCT05629026

• Biorepository for cardiovascular and metabolic disease research

  This study is collecting blood, urine, and stool samples from people with heart and metabolic diseases to help researchers better understand these conditions and improve care.

  Recruiting The Cleveland Clinic · Cleveland, Ohio · NCT05628948

• Assessing lymphedema in women treated for gynecologic cancer

  This study is trying to see how often women treated for gynecologic cancer develop swelling in their legs and if wearing special compression garments can help prevent it from getting worse.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University Hospital, Ghent · Ghent and 1 other locations · NCT05469945

• LYMPHA procedure to prevent arm lymphedema after axillary lymph node removal

  This trial will try adding the LYMPHA lymphatic reconstruction at the time of axillary lymph node removal to see if it lowers the risk of lymphedema in adults having lymphadenectomy for breast cancer.

  Recruiting Stanford University · San Francisco, California · NCT05366699

• Screening for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema in Targeted Therapy

  This study tests whether targeted breast cancer therapies are linked to lymphedema by tracking arm volume and symptoms in women undergoing treatment.

  Recruiting Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT05142800

• Reconstructive lymphatic surgery for treating lymphoedema

  This study tests if adding reconstructive lymphatic surgery to regular treatment can help people with lymphoedema in their arms or legs feel better and improve their quality of life.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven · Ghent and 2 other locations · NCT05064176

• Dayspring wearable compression for breast cancer–related arm lymphedema after lymphatic surgery

  This study will test whether the Dayspring wearable compression system helps move lymph and reduce arm swelling in adults with breast cancer–related lymphedema after lymphatic surgery.

  Recruiting Koya Medical, Inc. · Palo Alto, California · NCT04888975

• Preventing lymphedema after breast cancer surgery

  This study is testing a new procedure to see if connecting lymph vessels can help prevent swelling in the arm for women having surgery for breast cancer.

  Recruiting Gangnam Severance Hospital · Seoul · NCT04687956

• Evaluating a new surgical approach for lymphedema in breast cancer survivors

  This study is testing if adding a special collagen device to standard surgery can help breast cancer survivors with lymphedema reduce swelling and improve their quality of life.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Fibralign Corporation · Chicago, Illinois and 1 other locations · NCT04606030

• Comparing outcomes of immediate and delayed breast reconstruction after mastectomy

  This study is trying to see how different timing for breast reconstruction after mastectomy affects the appearance, quality of life, and satisfaction of women who have had the surgery.

  Recruiting National Institute of Oncology, Hungary · Budapest · NCT04356235

• Comparing cosmetic results and patient satisfaction of two breast surgery techniques

  This study is trying to see if a newer breast surgery technique gives better cosmetic results and patient satisfaction compared to a traditional method for women under 65 with breast cancer.

  Recruiting National Institute of Oncology, Hungary · Budapest · NCT04345081

• Ketogenic diet and ketone ester to reduce arm lymphedema

  This trial will test whether a ketogenic diet, with or without ketone ester supplements, can reduce swelling in adults with recent unilateral arm lymphedema after lymph node removal.

  Recruiting Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven · Leuven · NCT03991897

• Comparing quality of life in lymphedema patients after surgery versus non-surgical management

  This study looks at whether surgery or non-surgical treatment helps people with lymphedema feel better in the long run.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Harrison, New York and 2 other locations · NCT03248310

• Monitoring lymphedema in women after breast cancer surgery

  This study looks at how often women develop lymphedema after breast cancer surgery and how it affects their daily lives, to help catch it early and improve their care.

  Recruiting at 7 sites Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations · NCT02743858

• Registry of Chronic Wounds and Ulcers

  This study collects information from patients with chronic wounds and ulcers to see how well different treatments are working and to improve the quality of wound care.

  Recruiting U.S. Wound Registry · The Woodlands, Texas · NCT02280733

• Screening for lymphedema in breast cancer patients

  This study is trying to find out how to better spot lymphedema in breast cancer patients by checking their symptoms and quality of life before, during, and after treatment.

  Recruiting Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT01521741

NIH-funded research (29)

Early-stage science funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Most of these projects don't enroll patients, but they show what is being worked on.

• Biodegradable drug-eluting scaffold to promote lymphatic healing for lymphedema

  A new scaffold that slowly releases 9-cis retinoic acid to help grow healthy lymph vessels in people with lymphedema, especially cancer survivors.

  NIH research Matregenix · Boston, United States · NIH-11410245

• Mechanisms of Junctional Proteins in Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Surgery

  Scientists are studying how tiny protein gaps in lymph vessels contribute to swelling after breast cancer surgery, with the goal of helping people who develop lymphedema.

  NIH research Indiana University Indianapolis · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-11389464

• Image-based detection and monitoring of secondary lymphedema in head and neck cancer

  A new, smartphone-enabled method uses simple computer vision to detect and track secondary lymphedema in people treated for head and neck cancer.

  NIH research University of Illinois at Chicago · Chicago, UNITED STATES · NIH-11388472

• Lymphedema Prevention with Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction for Breast Cancer Patients

  This grant tests a surgical approach to help people with breast cancer reduce lymphedema after surgery.

  NIH research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · Houston, United States · NIH-11381868

• Bioengineered conduit to prevent lymphedema after cancer surgery

  A new resorbable conduit implanted during surgery could help prevent lymphedema in cancer survivors by bridging lymphatic obstructions.

  NIH research Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · Palo Alto, United States · NIH-11372336

• Bioengineered lymphatic healing platform for breast cancer-related lymphedema

  A new brainy hydrogel-based approach aims to help people who develop lymphedema after breast cancer by guiding and regenerating lymphatic vessels.

  NIH research Rice University · Houston, United States · NIH-11359627

• Photobiomodulation therapy for chronic head and neck lymphedema in cancer survivors

  A 5-year, multi-site trial tests a light-based therapy to reduce long-term neck and jaw swelling in people who survived head and neck cancer.

  NIH research University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11324201

• Targeted lymphatic drug delivery for breast cancer–related lymphedema

  A lab program developing ways to deliver medicines directly into the lymphatic system to help breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.

  NIH research Georgia Institute of Technology · Atlanta, United States · NIH-11293420

• Modifying BMP9 signaling to improve secondary lymphedema

  A patient-focused project aims to understand how BMP9 signaling affects lymphatic health after surgery and whether boosting BMP9 could help reduce swelling and improve function.

  NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11286438

• Investigating sodium levels and lymphatic function in lymphedema

  This study is looking at how the lymphatic system helps control sodium levels in people with lymphedema, using special imaging techniques to see how well the lymphatic system clears sodium and reduces swelling, with the goal of finding better ways to track and treat this condition.

  NIH research University of Virginia · Charlottesville, United States · NIH-11264103

• Why Black women have higher risk of arm swelling after breast cancer surgery

  This project looks for cellular reasons why Black women are more likely to develop long-term arm swelling after lymph node removal for breast cancer.

  NIH research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · New York, United States · NIH-11249991

• Using retinoic acid to help regrow lymph vessels after cancer surgery

  Trying to see if a form of vitamin A (9-cis‑retinoic acid) can help regrow lymph vessels and prevent or reduce swelling after lymph node surgery in people who get lymphedema.

  NIH research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · Newark, UNITED STATES · NIH-11189780

• Preventing arm swelling after breast cancer lymph node surgery with immediate lymphatic reconstruction

  A surgical technique done during lymph node removal to lower the chance of long-term arm swelling for people with inflammatory breast cancer.

  NIH research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · Houston, United States · NIH-11141767

• A Bioengineered Treatment to Prevent Lymphedema

  This project aims to create a special implant to help prevent lymphedema, a condition where fluid builds up, often after cancer treatment.

  NIH research Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · Palo Alto, United States · NIH-11134719

• A new treatment platform for breast cancer-related lymphedema

  This study is testing a new gel treatment for breast cancer survivors who have lymphedema, aiming to help them feel better by improving lymphatic drainage and reducing symptoms in a less invasive way.

  NIH research Rice University · Houston, United States · NIH-11123016

• Using engineered materials to help heal lymphatic systems in lymphedema patients

  This study is looking to make lymphedema treatments better by using new materials and methods to help your body grow healthy lymphatic vessels after surgery, so you can feel better and have improved results.

  NIH research Georgia Institute of Technology · Atlanta, United States · NIH-11106116

• Understanding how to improve recovery from post-surgical lymphedema

  This study is looking at how the body heals from swelling in the arms or legs after cancer surgery, and it aims to find new ways to help people recover better and feel more comfortable.

  NIH research Indiana University Indianapolis · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-11075832

• New treatment for lymphedema using targeted drug delivery

  This study is exploring a new way to help people with lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling from fluid buildup, by testing a special method to deliver treatments directly to the lymphatic system, which could make managing the condition easier and more effective.

  NIH research Georgia Institute of Technology · Atlanta, United States · NIH-11064076

• Investigating a treatment for lymphedema using retinoic acid

  This study is looking at how a substance called 9-cis retinoic acid might help grow new lymphatic vessels to improve swelling and immune issues for people with lymphedema, especially those who have had cancer surgeries.

  NIH research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · Newark, UNITED STATES · NIH-11063577

• How fat and lymphatic systems interact in obesity and lymphedema

  This study is looking at how fat tissue and the lymphatic system work together, especially for people dealing with obesity and lymphedema, to find better ways to manage these conditions.

  NIH research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Boston, United States · NIH-11062379

• Using light therapy to treat swelling in head and neck cancer survivors

  This study is looking at whether a special light therapy can help reduce swelling and improve movement for people who have chronic lymphedema after surviving head and neck cancer, and it will compare the effects of the therapy to a fake treatment over five years.

  NIH research University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11049285

• Investigating ways to modify fat cell behavior in patients with secondary lymphedema

  This study is looking at ways to help people with secondary lymphedema, a condition that causes painful swelling, by exploring how certain signals can change fat cells to reduce swelling and improve their quality of life.

  NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11030749

• Understanding why Black women are more likely to develop lymphedema after breast cancer treatment

  This study is looking at why Black women are more likely to develop lymphedema after breast cancer treatment, and it will follow women who have had surgery to remove lymph nodes to find out what factors might increase this risk, with the hope of improving prevention and treatment options for those affected.

  NIH research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · New York, United States · NIH-11010772

• Understanding the microbiome in chronic wounds from lymphatic filariasis in Ghana.

  This study is looking at the germs in stubborn wounds caused by lymphatic filariasis in Ghana to find out what makes them different and how they resist treatment, with the goal of helping doctors improve care for patients dealing with these tough wounds.

  NIH research Kwame Nkrumah University/science/tech · Kumasi, Ghana · NIH-10979516

• Creating a device to prevent lymphedema after cancer treatment

  This study is testing a new device that could help prevent lymphedema, which causes swelling in breast cancer survivors, by using a special implant to improve lymph fluid flow and tackle the problem at its source.

  NIH research Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · Palo Alto, United States · NIH-10979412

• Preventing lymphedema in breast cancer patients through immediate lymphatic reconstruction

  This study is looking at a new surgery called immediate lymphatic reconstruction to help prevent painful swelling, known as lymphedema, in women with inflammatory breast cancer who are at higher risk after their treatment.

  NIH research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · Houston, United States · NIH-10942914

• Understanding how low oxygen levels affect lymphatic function in lymphedema

  This study is looking at how low oxygen levels in the body might affect a protein that helps keep your lymphatic system working well, with the goal of finding new ways to help people with lymphedema feel better and reduce swelling.

  NIH research Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · Palo Alto, United States · NIH-10886751

• Exploring lymphedema symptoms and lifestyle in breast cancer survivors who are nurses

  This study is looking at how breast cancer-related lymphedema affects nurses who have survived breast cancer, focusing on their symptoms and daily challenges, to better understand their needs and improve support for them.

  NIH research University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia, United States · NIH-10865488

• Preventing swelling after surgery for breast cancer using new technology

  This study is exploring a new way to help prevent swelling in the arms or legs after breast cancer surgery by using a special technology to improve lymphatic function, and it's designed for patients who have had surgery that might put them at risk for lymphedema.

  NIH research Indiana University Indianapolis · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-10810319

Related topics

Quick answers

How many Lymphedema clinical trials are recruiting right now?

46, as of November 12, 2026. 1 of them was first registered in the last 30 days. We update this list each time we refresh our data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Where are these trials running?

In 14 countries. The most sites are in United States (21 trials), Belgium (5 trials), Denmark (3 trials), France (3 trials), Taiwan (3 trials). Each study page lists its sites and which ones are recruiting.

What phases are they in?

Phase 2: 4, Phase 3: 1, Early Phase 1: 1, Phase 4: 1. Trials with no phase listed are usually device, behavioural or observational studies.

How do I join one?

Open a study, check the "Is this trial a fit for you?" section, then contact the study team listed on the page. They will ask a few screening questions. Asking is free and does not commit you to anything. Talk it over with your doctor first.

Find the studies that fit you

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