Cognitive effects of stomach or esophagus cancer surgery
Official title: Cognitive Impact Associated With Surgery For Gastric Or Esophageal Cancer
Run by Karolinska Institutet · NCT06687291 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will see how often people who have surgery for stomach or esophagus cancer develop postoperative delirium and whether it is linked to preoperative depression, frailty, malnutrition, sarcopenia, or lower quality of life.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 130 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Karolinska Institutet Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Huddinge) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 13, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 11, 2027 |
| Study ends | November 11, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | August 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06687291 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (age ≥18) diagnosed with gastric or esophageal cancer who are treated with or without chemotherapy and who can give informed consent and communicate are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with preoperative dementia, inoperable metastatic disease, severe hearing or vision impairment preventing communication, ongoing drug or alcohol abuse, or inability to consent are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participating.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study will measure the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) in adults undergoing surgery for gastric or esophageal cancer and examine relationships with preoperative depression, frailty, malnutrition, sarcopenia and quality of life. Clinical data and routine follow-up assessments will be used, and participants identified with POD will be invited to a qualitative interview to describe their experience. Common exclusions include preexisting dementia, inoperable metastatic disease, severe communication impairments, ongoing substance abuse, and inability to consent. The study is conducted at Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, in collaboration with Region Stockholm.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help identify patients at higher risk for postoperative delirium so clinicians can target screening and preoperative or postoperative support to reduce delirium and improve recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observational work in major abdominal and oncologic surgery has linked frailty, malnutrition and depression to postoperative delirium, but focused data specifically in gastroesophageal cancer surgery are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients diagnosed with esophageal or gastric cancer, treated with (or without) chemotherapy and surgery. * Age ≥18 at the time for inclusion. * Participate on a voluntary basis and can (for any reason) end its participation during the study. * Capable of giving informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with preoperative cognitive dysfunction such as dementia. * Patients who are inoperable due to metastases. * Patients unable to communicate due to severely impaired hearing and/or - seeing. * Patients with ongoing drug and/or alcohol abuse. * Patients who cannot give informed consent.
Where it's running
-
Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge
Huddinge, Sweden Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Maria Lampi, PhD — Karolinska Institutet
- Study coordinator: Marcus Nömm, PhD-student
- Email: marcus.nomm@ki.se
- Phone: 0733765652
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.