Understanding how lymphatic drainage in the arm varies among breast cancer survivors
Mapping & quantifying lymphatic drainage of the arm's alternate pathway
This study is looking at the lymphatic system in the arm to see how a specific pathway works in women who have had breast cancer treatment but didn't get lymphedema, helping us understand why some women are less likely to develop this condition and how we can improve treatment in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11001200 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the lymphatic system's anatomy in the arm, particularly focusing on a pathway known as the Mascagni-Sappey (MS) pathway. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to identify variations in this pathway among women who have undergone breast cancer treatment but did not develop lymphedema. The goal is to understand why some women are less likely to experience lymphedema despite having risk factors. This knowledge could lead to better predictions of lymphedema risk and improve surgical techniques during breast cancer operations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women who have undergone breast cancer treatment and are at high risk for developing lymphedema but have not yet experienced it.
Not a fit: Patients who have already developed lymphedema or those who have not undergone breast cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help identify women at risk for lymphedema and improve surgical outcomes for breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding lymphatic variations, but this specific approach utilizing modern imaging techniques is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singhal, Dhruv — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Singhal, Dhruv
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 below.