Impact of Liver Volume Changes on Radiation Therapy for Abdominal Cancers
Official title: The Effect of Liver Volume Variation on Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) Planning and Delivery for Upper Abdominal Malignancies
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT06355895 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how changes in liver size, caused by things like diet, affect the effectiveness of radiation therapy for people with upper abdominal cancers.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 17 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | Radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 16, 2024 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | June 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06355895 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include individuals with primary or metastatic upper abdominal cancers who are scheduled to receive SBRT.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who have previously received radiation therapy to the liver or those with contraindications to iodinated contrast will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates how variations in liver volume, influenced by factors such as diet and time of day, affect the planning and delivery of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for upper abdominal malignancies. It aims to enhance the precision of SBRT by examining the implications of these volume changes on radiation dose distribution and treatment setup. Utilizing advanced imaging techniques like four-dimensional computed tomography, the study seeks to improve patient outcomes by minimizing errors in radiation delivery. Participants will undergo a standardized high-carbohydrate meal to assess its effect on liver volume.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate radiation therapy planning, reducing the risk of radiation-induced liver disease and improving treatment outcomes for patients with upper abdominal cancers.
How similar studies have gone: While the effects of respiratory motion on SBRT are well-documented, the specific impact of liver volume changes on radiation delivery is less understood, making this approach relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: • Have primary upper abdominal (pancreatic, bile duct, liver) cancer or upper abdominal metastases (liver, adrenal, upper abdominal lymph nodes) planned to undergo SBRT. Exclusion Criteria: * Had prior Radiation Therapy to the liver * Contraindication to receipt of iodinated IV contrast for CT (such as renal insufficiency or allergy that cannot be overcome by premedication) * Pregnancy/lactation OR woman of childbearing potential who is unable or unwilling to use adequate contraception during Radiation Therapy. * Inability to fast.
Where it's running
-
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Susannah Ellsworth, MD — UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Samantha Demko, BSN
- Email: albesl@upmc.edu
- Phone: 412-623-1400
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Coeliac Plexus vs Splanchnic Nerve Neurolysis for Upper Abdominal Cancer Pain
This study tests whether neurolytic splanchnic nerve block helps reduce pain better than neurolytic coeliac plexus block in adults with upper abdominal cancers.
-
Bilateral ESP Block vs EOIP Block After Liver Resection
This study tests whether a bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block provides better postoperative breathing and pain relief than a bilateral EOIP block after liver surgery.
-
External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block vs Erector Spinae Plane Block for Paediatric Upper Abdominal Surgeries
This study tests whether two ultrasound-guided nerve blocks—external oblique intercostal plane and erector spinae plane—provide different pain relief for children undergoing upper abdominal surgery.
-
Acupuncture versus TENS for pain after upper abdominal surgery
This will test whether acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can reduce pain for adults after upper abdominal surgery.
-
Evaluating the effectiveness of Danning Tablets for digestive symptoms
This study is testing if Danning Tablets can help people aged 18 to 75 feel better from digestive issues like indigestion and bloating while they are already using the medication.
-
Ultrasound-guided blocks for kids' abdominal surgery pain relief
This study tests whether a bilateral anterior quadratus lumborum block can provide better pain relief than a bilateral erector spinae plane block in children after open lower abdominal surgery.
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.