Evaluation of biomechanical characteristics of lymphedema by treatment of breast cancer through ultrasonography

• Grant number: 17/18586-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Elaine Caldeira de Oliveira Guirro
• Grantee: Carolina Fernandes Mestriner
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Lymphedema is a relatively common condition involving the upper limb ipsilateral therapeutic procedures related to the treatment of breast cancer, with a constant concern for these patients. Common methods for assessing lymphedema not characterize morphological changes dysfunction, a condition necessary to determine the prognosis and choice of targeted treatments. The aim of this study was to characterize morphologically the degree of lymphedema through the diagnostic ultrasound. To do so will be evaluated 40 women with unilateral lymphedema resulting from treatment of breast cancer, the members being divided into affected (affected by lymphedema) and control (contralateral). Each member shall be further subdivided into seven areas defined by perimetry, evaluated in a paired manner. Statistical analysis of normality assumptions will be verified for data through the statistical test of Shapiro-Wilk and homoscedasticity between the variances through the statistical Levene test. The analyzes will be processed in a single statistical package (SPSS version 14.0, Inc., USA). (AU)