Sarah A. McLaughlin, M.D.

The purpose of this study is to better understand the anatomy of the lymphatic structure and the molecular process that leads to the over production of lymph fluid.  This proposal will begin intense lymphedema screening and identify baseline characteristics potentially predisposing someone to lymphedema, and identify molecular markers that might be altered to prevent lymphedema. 

Researchers at Mayo Clinic are developing a Biobank of adult stem cell-rich breast organoids, a new research resource to facilitate normal and cancer stem cell research. Subjects in the Biobank will provide samples of excess breast tissue, complete a health questionnaire, and allow access to medical records now and in the future. The Biobank serves as a library for researchers; instead of having to look for volunteers for each new project, researchers can use samples from the Biobank as well as share information already collected.

The purpose of this study is to extend the follow up on the BEAUTY study (MC1137) cohort and collect additional blood samples to evaluate for minimal residual disease and tissue at the time of any breast cancer recurrence.

The purpose of this study is to test whether a short course of aspirin can change the markers of inflammation in patients who have a benign finding within five years of their last pregnancy, and possibly reduce their risk of future breast cancer.

This randomized phase III trial studies axillary lymph node dissection to see how well it works compared to axillary radiation therapy in treating patients with node-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. Lymph node dissection may remove cancer cells that have spread to nearby lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. This study will evaluate whether radiation therapy is as effective as lymph node dissection.

The purpose of this study is to compare the use of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy versus tape measurements for follow-up arm measurements after regional treatment for breast cancer. Catching the smallest increases in fluid buildup and intervening early may result in a decrease in the rate of progressions to chronic lymphedema. 

The purpose of this study is to examine how well axillary reverse mapping works in preventing lymphedema in patients with breast cancer undergoing axillary lymph node dissection. Axillary reverse mapping may help to preserve the lymph node drainage system around the breast so as to prevent lymphedema after surgery.

This study looks at the risks and benefits of active surveillance (AS) compared to guideline concordant care (GCC) in the setting of a pragmatic prospective randomized trial for low risk DCIS. Our overarching hypothesis is that management of low-risk Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) using an AS approach does not yield inferior cancer or quality of life outcomes compared to GCC.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the timing of AVB-620 administration relative to surgery on the fluorescence and accuracy of the AVB-620 imaging data to distinguish between malignant and nonmalignant tissues in women undergoing surgery with primary, nonrecurrent and nonmetastatic breast cancer.

The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence of patient perceived implant contracture and/or patient perceived unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome of breast implants following breast conserving surgery and radiation. Also, to determine risk factors that may impact the risk for poor cosmetic outcome. Additionally, to quantify the rate of additional surgery needed for implant/augmentation revision due to breast cancer treatment.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic are developing a Biobank of adult stem cell-rich breast organoids, a new research resource to facilitate normal and cancer stem cell research. Subjects in the Biobank will provide samples of excess breast tissue, complete a health questionnaire, and allow access to medical records now and in the future. The Biobank serves as a library for researchers; instead of having to look for volunteers for each new project, researchers can use samples from the Biobank as well as share information already collected.

The goal of this study is to perform a quantitative measure of lobular involution (qLI) from breast biopsy samples obtained at baseline (surgery) and 12 months or at time of study discontinuation. The study will determine breast density (MMG) and correlate with qLI. The study will also determine the influence of chemoprevention therapies such as tamoxifen and letrozole on qLI.

The purpose of this research study is to better understand the reasons why or why not breast cancers are destroyed by standard chemotherapy. This information will be used to develop new and better cancer therapies.