Developing effective strategies for preventing breast cancer-related arm lymphedema (BCRAL) remains a significant unmet need in healthcare, as there are currently no effective treatments for eradicating the condition once it becomes chronic.
Despite some strategies like prospective surveillance programs and prophylactic lymphatic reconstruction showing effectiveness in clinical trials, their adoption varies widely due to differences in clinician preferences, organizational standards, and available resources.
To address this, a two-round international Delphi consensus process was conducted from February 27, 2023, to May 25, 2023, gathering insights from 55 experts in breast cancer and lymphoedema care and research.
This process identified key risk factors such as axillary lymph node dissection, post-operative radiotherapy, relative within-arm volume increase after surgery, the number of lymph nodes dissected, and high body mass index. These factors are crucial for selecting patients for interventions aimed at preventing BCRAL.
The expert panel recommended implementing prospective surveillance programs where feasible, along with offering prophylactic compression sleeves, axillary reverse mapping, and lymphatic reconstruction to at-risk patients, contingent on the availability of expertise and resources.
Additionally, the panel provided guidance on axillary management for specific breast cancer patient groups, advocating against routine axillary lymph node dissection in favor of axillary radiation in certain cases.
An individualized approach, considering patients’ preferences, risk factors, treatment availability, and the expertise of the healthcare team, is vital for ensuring those at risk receive appropriate preventive interventions for BCRAL.
The leading medical journal eClinicalMedicine, part of The Lancet Discovery Science, recently published clinical guidance that supports early detection and prevention strategies, highlighting the effectiveness of ImpediMed’s bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) technology.
Endorsed by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and developed by an independent expert panel, this guidance emphasizes regular monitoring for BCRAL to catch it early.
ImpediMed’s FDA-cleared BIS technology, part of its SOZO Digital Health Platform, is recognized for its accuracy in screening for lymphedema, marking a significant step forward in patient care.
The guidance, validated by evidence from the large-scale PREVENT trial, reinforces the value of BIS technology and a proactive care model in preventing lymphedema progression.
