Lymphedema after breast cancer treatment

本一级申请中拟议的研究培训计划将解决乳腺癌治疗后的淋巴水肿问题。培训计划的具体目标是： 1）描述与淋巴水肿相关的生理和病理生理过程； 2）批判性地回顾和综合与淋巴水肿相关的理论和研究以及更广泛的癌症症状管理； 3）确定可在门诊肿瘤科环境中切实实施的有效且可靠的淋巴水肿测量方法； 4）评估目前淋巴水肿的治疗方式； 5) 检查可能与淋巴水肿相关的生物心理社会结果（例如触觉改变、精细或粗大运动以及性行为）； 6）在该领域进行独立研究。研究问题是：作为乳腺癌幸存者的一线治疗，多模式治疗方案在减少淋巴水肿和改善生活质量 (QOL) 方面的短期效果如何？研究的具体目标是：1）检查多模式治疗方案作为乳腺癌幸存者的一线治疗对减少淋巴水肿的短期有效性； 2) 检查作为乳腺癌幸存者一线治疗的多模式治疗方案的耐受性； 3) 评估与减少淋巴水肿相关的生活质量结果。

The proposed research training plan in this level 1 application will address the problem of lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. Training plan specific aims are to: 1) describe the physiological and pathophysiological processes relative to lymphedema; 2) critically review and synthesize theory and research related to lymphedema specifically and cancer symptom management more generally; 3) identify valid and reliable lymphedema measurement methods that can be feasibly implemented in outpatient oncology settings; 4) evaluate current treatment modalities for lymphedema; 5) examine biopsychosocial outcomes potentially related to lymphedema (e.g. altered touch, fine or gross motor movement, and sexuality); and 6) perform independent research in this area. The research question is: What is the short-term effectiveness of a multi-modal treatment regimen on reducing lymphedema and improving quality of life (QOL) outcomes when given as a first line treatment for breast cancer survivors? Research specific aims are to: 1) examine the short-term effectiveness of a multi-modal treatment regimen on reducing lymphedema when given as a first line treatment to breast cancer survivors; 2) examine tolerance to the multi-modal treatment regimen when given as a first line treatment to breast cancer survivors; 3) assess QOL outcomes associated with reduction of lymphedema.