Reliability of bioimpedance spectroscopy and tonometry after breast conserving cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: Measuring the female breast, especially after breast cancer treatment, is problematic due to breast size, texture, and patient positioning. However, being able to accurately measure changes in the breast is important, as it may help in the earlier diagnosis and treatment of early breast edema and later lymphedema.

METHODS: 14 women who had undergone breast conserving surgery for breast cancer (> 12 months ago) were recruited to assess the between subject reproducibility of tonometry and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS). With the participant supine, two repeat measurements of the resistance of the tissues to compression (tonometry) and fluid levels (BIS) of the treated and normal breast were taken for each of the four quadrants of the breast.

RESULTS: The between subject reproducibility for both measurement techniques was high, with covariance ranging from 1.29% to 3.25% for tonometry and 0.20-0.86% for BIS.

CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of these two measurement techniques provides an opportunity for researchers and clinicians to easily quantify breast tissue and fluid changes which in turn may lead to the earlier diagnosis and targeted treatment of breast edema and lymphedema.