Examining how endoscopic ultrasound affects treatment decisions in oesophageal cancer

Understanding the Variation of Modern Endoscopic Ultrasound Use in Patients With Oesophageal Cancer (VALUE): a Multi-methods Study

Observational University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust · NCT06440174

This study looks at how using endoscopic ultrasound can change treatment plans for patients with oesophageal cancer to see if it helps them get better care.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment160 (estimated)
Ages16 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Academic / other
Locations14 sites (Abercynon and 13 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06440174 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in managing patients with oesophageal cancer. It aims to determine how often EUS alters treatment decisions after initial staging with CT and PET-CT. The study includes both quantitative and qualitative components, assessing the frequency of changes in management and exploring clinician and patient perspectives on EUS's utility. The trial will recruit patients with potentially curable disease who are fit for EUS as part of their standard care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 16 or older with a first diagnosis of biopsy-confirmed oesophageal cancer who are deemed potentially curable.

Not a fit: Patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, or those unable to undergo EUS examination, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance treatment decision-making for patients with oesophageal cancer, potentially improving outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of EUS in oesophageal cancer is established, this study's specific focus on its impact on treatment decisions is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients aged 16 or above with first diagnosis of biopsy-confirmed oesophageal cancer.
2. Referred for EUS examination as part of standard of care investigations.
3. Tumour location in the oesophagus, or gastro-oesophageal junction (Siewert types I-III)
4. MDT decision that patient is potentially curable with radical treatment (e.g., endoscopic treatment, surgery +/- neoadjuvant therapy, or definitive chemoradiotherapy)
5. Prior staging with CT and PET-CT
6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2
7. Clinical staging of T1-T4, N0-N3, M0 disease
8. Adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) histopathological cell type

   Exclusion Criteria:
9. Recurrent or residual disease
10. Distant metastatic disease detected before EUS.
11. Previous oesophagectomy or oesophageal radiotherapy
12. Unable to undergo EUS examination.
13. Concurrent malignancy e.g., second primary tumour
14. Other histopathological cell type

Where this trial is running

Abercynon and 13 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 Oesophageal Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.