Genital Neoplasms, Female, Lymphedema
Conditions
Brief summary
Objectives: 1) To evaluate the effect of early compression therapy with individualized exercise on the incidence of lower limb lymphedema at 12 months post-operatively in patients treated for gynecological cancer who are at risk of developing lymphedema; 2) To evaluate the effect of early compression therapy with individualized exercise on lower limb volume, quality of life and incidence of cellulitis infections at 12 months post-operatively in this population.
Detailed description
Study design and setting: A pilot randomized controlled trial will be conducted on 50 patients with gynecological cancer recruited from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Royal Victoria Hospital and the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) Segal Cancer Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The data collection and interventions will be conducted at the MUHC Lymphedema Support Centre. Intervention: At 4-6 weeks post-operatively, each participant in the experimental group will be prescribed Jobst Elvarex compression class 1 (18 to 21 mmHg) standard or custom-made stockings for both lower limbs with or without panty. The participants will be recommended to wear the garments for 12 to 16 hours daily for at least 6 months post-operatively. At this time, the participants will also receive individualized education on exercise, self-lymphatic drainage and skin care by an unblinded lymphedema therapist. Control: At 4-6 weeks post-operatively (T2), both groups will receive standard education on lymphedema risk reduction along with printed materials from the Lymphedema Association of Quebec.
Interventions
DEVICEBilateral leg compression stockings
Prescribed Jobst Elvarex compression class 1 (18 to 21 mmHg) standard or custom-made stockings for both lower limbs with or without panty; participants will be recommended to wear the garments for 12 to 16 hours daily for at least 6 months post-operatively.
BEHAVIORALIndividualized exercise
Individualized education on exercise according to the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines and self-lymphatic drainage techniques
BEHAVIORALLymphedema risk reduction
Standard education on lymphedema risk reduction along with printed materials from the Lymphedema Association of Quebec
Sponsors
Jewish General Hospital
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* above 18 years of age; * diagnosis of grade 2 or 3 endometrial cancer, or high grade type (serous or clear cell), stage 1b1 or stage 2a cervical cancer, stage 1 vulvar cancer with tumor greater than 4 cm, or stage 2 or 3 vulvar cancer; * to undergo surgical lymph node dissection.
Exclusion criteria
* recurrent diagnosis of gynecological cancer; * presence of distant metastases (stage 4 cancer); * body mass index of 35 or greater.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in bilateral lower limb volume | Prior to surgery (T1), at 4-6 weeks post- operatively (T2), at 3 months post-operatively (T3), at 6 months post-operatively (T4) and at 1 year post-operatively (T5) | Measured with circumferential measures and perometry (Perometer 350S) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in bilateral lower limb extracellular fluid volume | Prior to surgery (T1), at 4-6 weeks post- operatively (T2), at 3 months post-operatively (T3), at 6 months post-operatively (T4) and at 1 year post-operatively (T5) | Measured with bioimpedance spectroscopy |
| EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire | Prior to surgery (T1), at 4-6 weeks post- operatively (T2), at 3 months post-operatively (T3), at 6 months post-operatively (T4) and at 1 year post-operatively (T5) | Measure of quality of life |
| Incidence of cellulitis | Prior to surgery (T1), at 4-6 weeks post- operatively (T2), at 3 months post-operatively (T3), at 6 months post-operatively (T4) and at 1 year post-operatively (T5) | Patient-reported number of cellulitis infections |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed