Study recommends that patients be monitored
a minimum of three years after cancer treatment
CARLSBAD, Calif., July 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Some breast cancer patients
remain at risk for developing lymphedema well after their cancer
treatment is concluded and should be monitored a minimum of three
years, according to data published in the Annals of Surgical
Oncology.
Lymphedema, a disabling swelling that is a common consequence of
cancer treatment, poses significant challenges in healthcare.
According to the American Cancer Society, 58% of cancer patients
diagnosed with breast cancer, melanoma, or pelvic area cancers are
at risk for developing limb lymphedema. Additionally, over 80%
of breast cancer patients can be at risk based on the type of
cancer treatment they have received.
Among the paper's co-authors are Steven
Chen, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer of ImpediMed, a pioneer
in the field of medical technology that has the only FDA-cleared
bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) technology for the clinical
assessment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) - the
SOZO® Digital Health Platform.
"BCRL can develop years after cancer treatment is concluded and
can progress from the subclinical stage, where intervention is
possible to reverse progression, to chronic lymphedema, where this
can become a lifelong condition," Chen said. "This study highlights
the importance of continued monitoring for BCRL post cancer
treatment for at least 3 years using the most accurate technology
available for early detection."
Evidence from the study, titled "Timing of Breast Cancer-related
Lymphedema Development Over Three Years: Observations from a Large,
Prospective Randomized Screening Trial," is drawn from PREVENT, the
largest randomized control trial for lymphedema assessment. PREVENT
monitored progression to BCRL following intervention for BCRL
assessed by BIS versus a tape measure. The results demonstrated
that early detection and intervention using BIS resulted in lower
progression to chronic lymphedema compared to using a tape measure.
The results provide additional evidence supporting the need for
continued lymphedema follow-up and the use of BIS as the preferred
method, when available, as stated in national and international
clinical practice guidelines.
ImpediMed's platform is broadly accepted and recognized for
effective and accurate screening of lymphedema, with U.S. payors
now providing coverage for over 140 million covered lives.
"Late-developing chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema is a
particularly harsh blow to patients who thought they had put their
treatment behind them," said Chirag
Shah, MD, Co-Director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer
Program, Cleveland Clinic, lead author of the study, and scientific
adviser to ImpediMed. "Early detection and intervention are the
keys to preventing chronic lymphedema. By showing that patients can
develop breast cancer-related lymphedema from a few months to even
years after treatment, this analysis highlights the need for
careful screening for years following treatment."
The study comes on the heels of new guidance from the
Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC),
which also underscored the importance of regular monitoring for
BCRL using BIS.
The consensus-based recommendation by MASCC, coupled with
supportive findings from the PREVENT trial, underscores the
effectiveness of ImpediMed's technology in preventing the
progression of lymphedema. The company's commitment to innovation
and patient care is further evidenced by its active role in the
medical community, including its participation in upcoming U.S.
conferences and contributions to ongoing clinical research.
As ImpediMed continues to champion early lymphedema detection
and prevention, its efforts are paving the way for a new standard
in breast cancer survivorship care, ensuring that survivors can
look forward to healthier, more comfortable futures.
About SOZO Digital Health Platform
SOZO, the world's most advanced, non-invasive bioimpedance
spectroscopy (BIS) device, delivers a precise snapshot of fluid
status and tissue composition in less than 30 seconds. Using
ImpediMed's BIS technology, SOZO measures 256 unique data points
over a wide spectrum of frequencies from 3 kHz to 1000 kHz. Results
are available immediately online for easy data access and sharing
across an entire healthcare system. The FDA-cleared, CE-marked and
ARTG-listed digital health platform aids in the early detection of
secondary lymphoedema, provides fluid status for patients living
with heart or renal failure, and can be used to monitor and
maintain overall health – all on a single device.
About ImpediMed
ImpediMed is a leading global medical technology company that
designs and manufactures medical devices that employ bioimpedance
spectroscopy (BIS) technology for use in the noninvasive clinical
assessment and monitoring of fluid status and tissue composition in
patients. The company consistently drives innovation, directing its
primary efforts toward addressing the specific challenges and
devastating burden of secondary lymphedema with a focus on breast
cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). With its SOZO® Digital Health
Platform and L-Dex®, ImpediMed is the only company to offer an
FDA-cleared technology that uses BIS and is setting new standards
in early detection and management of BCRL. For more information,
please visit www.impedimed.com.
Media Contact:
Jodi Perkins
Amendola Communications, on behalf of ImpediMed
jperkins@acmarketingpr.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/additional-data-published-in-annals-of-surgical-oncology-recommends-extended-monitoring-of-lymphedema-for-breast-cancer-patients-302197421.html
SOURCE ImpediMed