Assessing frailty in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing major surgery

A Descriptive and Comparative Analysis of Frailty in Rural Versus Urban Cancer Patients Undergoing Major Surgical Oncologic Procedures

Observational The Guthrie Clinic · NCT05694338

This study is testing a way to find out if patients with gastrointestinal cancer are at risk of becoming frail before they have major surgery, to help prevent complications afterwards.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThe Guthrie Clinic Academic / other
Locations2 sites (East Corning, New York and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05694338 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research focuses on patients with gastrointestinal cancer who are scheduled for major surgery. The study aims to identify those at risk for frailty, which can lead to complications post-surgery. Participants will complete a frailty assessment survey and provide a blood sample for various tests. The study will analyze the correlation between frailty and adverse outcomes following surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer who are referred for elective major surgical procedures.

Not a fit: Patients under 18 years old or pregnant women will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help identify frail patients and improve their surgical outcomes through targeted interventions.

How similar studies have performed: While frailty assessments in surgical patients are common, this specific focus on gastrointestinal cancer is less explored, making it a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years old or older
* histologically proven gastrointestinal malignancy
* referral for elective major surgical procedures at including operations for upper and lower gastrointestinal malignancies and hepato-pancreato-biliary
* referral for neoadjuvant treatment followed by any of the above major surgical procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* under 18 years
* pregnant women

Where this trial is running

East Corning, New York and 1 other locations

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 Gastrointestinal Cancer
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.