Assessing cervical lymph nodes response in head and neck cancer after treatment

The Value of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in Assessing the Response of Cervical Lymph Nodes After Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Observational Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University · NCT06727162

This study is testing if a special ultrasound can help doctors see how well treatment is working on lymph nodes in patients with head and neck cancer.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorSun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
Trial IDNCT06727162 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study evaluates the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in assessing the response of cervical lymph nodes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who have undergone neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. The study aims to determine how well CEUS can identify changes in lymph node status after treatment, which is crucial for guiding subsequent surgical decisions. By focusing on the lymph nodes, the research seeks to improve treatment planning and potentially reduce unnecessary surgeries. The study is conducted at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital in Guangzhou, Guangdong.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients with histopathologically confirmed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have received neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy and are scheduled for radical surgery with lymph node dissection.

Not a fit: Patients who have not completed a full course of neoadjuvant therapy or have a history of prior treatment for head and neck cancer may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate assessments of lymph node response, improving treatment decisions and outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research into the use of imaging techniques for assessing cancer treatment responses, the specific application of CEUS for cervical lymph nodes in this context is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* (1) Histopathologically confirmed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; (2) Received neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy; (3) Diagnosed with cN+ by CT/MRI before treatment; (4) Underwent radical surgical treatment plus cervical lymph node dissection at this center.

Exclusion Criteria:

* (1) Did not receive a full course of neoadjuvant therapy; (2) History of treatment for head and neck; (3) Clinical evidence of distant metastasis found during preoperative examination.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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.