New surgery aims to stop arm swelling in breast cancer survivors
NCT ID NCT03990610
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether moving lymph nodes from one part of the body to the armpit during breast reconstruction can lower the risk of lymphedema, a painful arm swelling. Thirty breast cancer patients who had mastectomy and lymph node removal will receive the extra procedure. Researchers will track how many develop lymphedema over time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Vascularized lymph node transfer (surgical procedure)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to prevent chronic arm swelling after breast cancer treatment, improving quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 30 participants and no control group, so results may not be conclusive. Surgery carries risks like infection or poor healing.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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