Who is eligible for clinical trial NCT03941756?

Participants must meet protocol criteria for Anatomic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8. Confirm exact inclusion and exclusion requirements with the study coordinator.

Does clinical trial NCT03941756 provide travel or cost reimbursement?

Check with the site coordinator at the participating facility for travel and lodging stipend availability, and for which routine-care costs are covered.

🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-05-22

Lymphovenous Bypass Procedure Before Underarm Lymph Node Surgery in Preventing Lymphedema in Patients With Inflammatory or Locally Advanced Non-inflammatory Breast Cancer or Melanoma (NCT03941756)

🟢 Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic 💊 Investigational Drug / Biologic Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

This pilot trial studies whether a procedure called lymphovenous bypass would prevent lymphedema (arm swelling) in patients with inflammatory breast cancer or non-inflammatory breast cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes or melanoma. The lymphovenous bypass procedure creates a path for lymphatic fluid to flow away from the arms. It is usually done after a diagnosis of lymphedema. In this study, giving lymphovenous bypass before underarm lymph node surgery may help prevent lymphedema from forming.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (6 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (5 items).

Location: M D Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Patients greater than or equal to 18 years of age.
Patients willing to participate.
Patients able to complete informed consent.
Patients will be eligible for inclusion if they fall into one for two groups:
Patients with inflammatory breast cancer, and those with locally advanced non-inflammatory breast cancer that are undergoing ALND and are anticipated to receive radiation therapy
Or: Patients with a diagnosis of melanoma (including unknown primary) that will undergo ALND will also be eligible for inclusion in the study as a comparator group.

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

Exclusion Criteria:
Patients taking anticoagulants within 7 days prior to surgery.
Patients that are known to be pregnant at the time of surgery.
Patients are available for follow-up less than 18 months or do not undergo measurements within the scheduled period.
Patients with body mass index (BMI) greater than 50.0.

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

M D Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗