Microsurgical Treatment of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema by Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis

Summary

Research question: Is lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema of the arm (BCRL) more effective and cost-effective compared to standard conservative treatment? Hypothesis: LVA improves the health-related quality of life of patients who developed BCRL after breast cancer treatment and is cost-effective compared to conservative treatment. Study design: A multicenter randomised controlled trial (RCT) consisting of two treatment groups: conservative treatment (group A) and LVA (group B). The study is conducted in Maastricht University Medical Center, Radboud University Medical Center, Zuyderland Medical Center and Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital. Study population: Women over 18 years old who underwent (axillary) treatment for breast cancer presenting with early stage lymphedema of the arm for which they received at least three months conservative treatment Intervention: LVA involves anastomosing lymphatic vessels to small veins to bypass obstructions in the lymphatic system.

Usual care: Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) which includes skin care, manual lymphatic drainage, and compression therapy. Outcome measures: The primary outcome is health-related quality of life after 12 months follow-up measured with the Lymph-ICF questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are (in)direct costs, QALYs, cost-effectiveness ratio, the discontinuation rate of conservative treatment, and excess limb volume. Sample size: A total of 120 patients will be included and randomised in two groups of 60 patients each.

Cost-effectiveness analysis: A trial-based economic evaluation is performed from the societal perspective to determine the cost-effectiveness, expressed in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) (i.e. cost per QALY gained), of LVA compared to CDT. Direct and indirect cost data is collected on the patient-level. The difference in QALYs is assessed with the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. A Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) will be performed to analyse the financial consequences related to implementing LVA. Time schedule: Patient inclusion will take maximally 21 months. With a follow-up of 24 months, the total study period will be 48 months. The last three months are used for data analysis. Outcome assessment is at inclusion (before randomisation) and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months later.

Conditions

• Lymphedema

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA)

LVA is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography is used to visualize the (obstructed) lymphatic vessels. When using the images as a guide, the lymphatic pathways and the sites for incisions for lymphaticovenous anastomoses are marked with a pen. The patient's limb is then prepared for surgery. Under a surgical microscope the lymphatic vessels are identified and viable lymphatic vessels are anastomosed to similarly sized adjacent recipient venules in the subdermal plane.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development

  collaborator OTHER

• Maastricht University Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• René Van der Hulst, MD, PhD · Maastricht University Medical Center

• Shan Shan Qiu Shao, MD, PhD · Maastricht University Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

99 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-01-01

Primary Completion

2025-01-07

Completion

2025-01-07

Countries

• Netherlands

Study Locations