Thermographic evaluation of blood circulatory impairment of lymphedema resulting from the treatment of breast cancer

• Grant number: 16/08340-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2016
• End date: September 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Elaine Caldeira de Oliveira Guirro
• Grantee: Ana Luiza Marsengo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The involvement of the blood circulatory system in the development of lymphedema was noted in studies. Thermography is able to quantify the changes in temperature and classify abnormal vascular patterns. The objective of the study is to evaluate the blood circulatory impairment of the upper limb with lymphedema through thermography, in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Therefore, 46 women will be evaluated in the age range of 40 to 60, divided into two groups: group 1 (G1), composed of women undergoing treatment for breast cancer with lymphedema in the ipsilateral upper limb surgery; group 2 (G2) consists of women without the disease. Evaluation of peripheral blood circulation will be effected by means of infrared thermography (FLIR® Systems, Wilsonville, OR, USA) in both upper limbs. The detection of lymphedema will be done through perimetry and volume, and the blood circulatory impairment arm ankle index. By analyzing the normality of the data, comparisons between groups will be performed using the t test for independent samples or Mann-Whitney. Correlations between skin temperature and lymphedema volume will be evaluated using the Pearson or Spearman correction coefficient, assuming a 5% significance level. The data obtained in the study aim to support the peripheral blood circulatory changes in lymphedema related to the treatment of breast cancer.