PhD Project (for self-funded students only)
- Reference
- MED909
- Job Type
- Research & Teaching
- Department
- School of Clinical Sciences
Lymphoedema in women with primary or advanced breast carcinoma
Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies (eg sentinel node biopsy, neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies), some patients with breast cancer still develop lymphoedema of the arm. In patients with early primary disease following surgery, lymphoedema, though uncommon, could cause long-term debilitation if occurred, since survival in this population has now significantly improved. In the context of advanced disease when lymphoedema is often due to locoregional recurrence, it could significantly impact on the patients’ quality of life especially when the disease is no longer controllable by anti-cancer therapies.
Specifically this project will investigate into the incidence of different degrees and patterns of lymphoedema following ‘modern’ axillary management (including preoperative axillary staging and intra-operative sentinel node biopsy) and also in advanced disease. Measurements using conventional perometry and multifrequency bioimpedance techniques will be employed. As part of a wider research programme into various aspects of lymphoedema, it is hoped that correlation with clinical parameters and treatment strategies, will be performed.
The successful student will be jointly supervised by Mr KL Cheung, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Breast Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences and Dr V Keeley, Special Associate Professor, School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health and Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Royal Derby Hospital. Mr Cheung is currently leading a research programme into various aspects (eg clinical, biological and psychosocial) of primary breast cancer in older women. Dr Keeley is a clinical expert in lymphoedema management and also currently a principal investigator of a multi-centre trial on early detection of lymphoedema.
Students should have, or expect to obtain, a first or 2.1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, with medical, nursing or physiotherapy background. They should be able to spend a substantial amount of time to conduct research in a clinical environment, with significant contacts with patients, their families, and members of the multi-disciplinary clinical team. Standard vetting procedures, including a CRB check, will be required.
For further information or informal enquiries please email with CV to: kl.cheung@nottingham.ac.uk.
To apply, please send CV with a covering letter and the names, address, telephone and email contact of two academic referees to Lesley Randall, Secretary to Division of Breast Surgery at Professorial Unit of Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals City Hospital Campus, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB – lesley.randall@nottingham.ac.uk.