Preventing arm swelling after breast cancer lymph node surgery with immediate lymphatic reconstruction
Official title: Lymphedema Prevention Through Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11141767 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A surgical technique done during lymph node removal to lower the chance of long-term arm swelling for people with inflammatory breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $507,876 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA292908-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141767 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with inflammatory breast cancer scheduled for axillary lymph node dissection who can have ILR during their surgery and attend follow-up visits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing axillary lymph node removal, those medically unsuitable for the additional microsurgery, or those treated at centers without ILR access may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you have inflammatory breast cancer and are scheduled for axillary lymph node removal, surgeons would perform immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) during the same operation to reconnect lymphatic channels. The team will follow patients over months to years with limb measurements, symptom tracking, and blood or tissue samples to look for signs that predict or prevent lymphedema. Outcomes for people who receive ILR will be compared with others who did not receive ILR to see if the procedure reduces lymphedema rates in this high-risk group. Regular clinic visits and objective measurements will be used to monitor recovery and long-term swelling.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could substantially lower how many inflammatory breast cancer patients develop chronic lymphedema and improve daily comfort and function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in general breast cancer patients showed lower lymphedema rates after ILR, but ILR has not been specifically tested long-term in inflammatory breast cancer patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schaverien, Mark V — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Schaverien, Mark V
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.