Arm-ACHE Review Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Prevalence of Arm Lymphoedema following Chemotherapy in Women with Breast Cancer: A follow-up of the Arm-ACHE Cohort

• IRAS ID

  257633

• Contact name

  EM Williams

• Contact email

  mark.williams@southwales.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of South Wales

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  n/a, N/A

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 8 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  During the Arm-ACHE study the incidence of chemotherapy related phlebitis (pain and inflammation of the vein) was observed in 263 women receiving up to 6 treatment cycles of epirubicin chemotherapy by injection into a vein (intravenous) in the hand or arm. The Arm-ACHE study found that the incidence of phlebitis was lower for women who had received intravenous chemotherapy using veins in alternating arms rather than repeated treatments in the same arm.
  Until recently it has been common practice to avoid using the arm on the side of the body as the breast cancer for all intravenous treatments. This was thought to reduce the long-term risk of developing swelling of the arm (lymphoedema). However, there is no clear evidence that using the arm on the same side as breast cancer increases the risk of lymphoedema, there is also no clear evidence that it does not increase the risk. More information is needed to help health care professionals and patients with breast cancer to make decisions about the choice of arm use for intravenous chemotherapy.
  We know that some women who have breast cancer will develop arm lymphoedema causing swelling and tightness in the arm. This study will follow up the women in the Arm ACHE study to see if using the same arm or alternating arms for chemotherapy administration leads to more or less lymphoedema than expected. They will be invited to attend a follow up review at an NHS location where they will complete a short questionnaire undergo measurements of both arms and be weighed. This is an opportune study as the Arm-ACHE group are approaching three-five years post-treatment a time when arm swelling may become apparent. In addition, reviewing arm symptoms at the same time will provide a view of any long-term effects of chemotherapy related phlebitis

• REC name

  North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2

• REC reference

  20/NS/0046

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Apr 2020

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion