Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Integrating Augmented Reality Tools in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Prognostication and Diagnosis
Published on: February 6, 2020
Baseline and early postoperative bioimpedance spectroscopy and perometry measurements in patients treated for breast
Alexa J Taghian1, Mahek Aggarwal1, Amy M Shui1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Purpose:
To describe bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) L-Dex values at breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and within the first year post-surgery in a cohort prospectively screened for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). We also aim to explore BCRL diagnostic overlap utilizing perometry and BIS thresholds.
Methods:
Patients undergoing treatment for unilateral BC were prospectively assessed for subclinical BCRL using BIS and perometry at preoperative baseline and during follow-up. Normal baseline scores were considered an absolute arm volume difference < 5% and an L-Dex score between -10 and + 10. BCRL was defined as relative volume change (RVC) ≥ 5% via perometry or L-Dex > 6.5 increase from preoperative baseline during follow-up.
Results:
The study cohort included 490 patients who underwent same-day perometry and BIS measurements at preoperative baseline, 306 of whom had same-day measurements postoperatively. At baseline, 99 patients (20.2%) had an absolute arm-volume difference ≥ 5%, and 39 patients (8.0%) had an L-Dex value > 6.5. Among patients with follow-up data (N = 306), 36 (11.8%) were diagnosed with BCRL using one or both tools. Of these, 16 patients (44.4%) were diagnosed by RVC-only, 17 (47.2%) by BIS-only, and 3 (8.3%) by both methods. Kaplan-Meier estimates for BCRL at 1, 2, and 3 years were 7.6%, 8.5% and 8.5% for RVC-only; 5.7%, 8.0%, and 15% for BIS-only; and 15%, 18%, and 25% via any method.
Conclusion:
Although BIS and perometry detected a comparable percentage of subclinical BCRL cases, they identified different individuals, indicating that combining both methods may increase case detection. Preoperative baseline measurements are imperative.
