OBJECTIVES:
I. To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and feasibility of bioimpedance technology as compared to clinically derived measurements to include circumferential volumetric measurements to detect lower-extremity lymphedema in patients who are undergoing an inguinal lymphadenectomy during the concurrent surgical management of a vulvar cancer.
OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.
Patients undergo preoperative and postoperative lower-extremity lymphedema assessment comprising serial circumferential measurements, bioimpedance spectroscopy measurements, and clinical evaluation using the Stemmer sign. Patients undergo radical vulvectomy or radical local excision as prescribed by GOG-0244, and unilateral or bilateral inguinal or inguinal-femoral lymphadenectomy.
After completion of study, patients are followed up at 4-6 weeks, every 3 months for 1 year, and then every 6 months for 1 year.
