Improving lung cancer treatment decisions and patient quality of life

Optimizing treatment decisions and quality-adjusted life years through improved lung cancer staging

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10899827

This study is looking at two different ways to take samples from lymph nodes in patients with early to mid-stage lung cancer to see which method helps doctors make better treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10899827 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how two different biopsy procedures, endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial node aspiration (EBUS) and mediastinoscopy, can affect treatment decisions for patients with stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). By comparing these methods, the study aims to determine which procedure better detects the extent of cancer spread to lymph nodes and how this impacts patient outcomes. The research will utilize data from approximately 2,200 patients to analyze the effectiveness and risks associated with each procedure, ultimately aiming to enhance the quality-adjusted life years for patients. Patients will be monitored for changes in treatment decisions based on the biopsy results.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer who require lymph node staging.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced lung cancer beyond stage III or those who are not candidates for biopsy procedures may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment decisions and better quality of life for lung cancer patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in improving treatment outcomes through enhanced staging techniques, indicating that this approach may yield significant benefits.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer Research NetworkCancer StagingCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.