Clinical trial Recruiting at 22 sites Interventional Ages 20 to 70 Women only

Surgical removal of lymph nodes in advanced cervical cancer before treatment

Official title: Therapeutic Effect of Surgical Debulking of Metastatic Lymph Nodes in Cervical Cancer Stage IIICr: A Phase III, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Run by CHA University · NCT05421650 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if removing large or multiple lymph nodes in women with advanced cervical cancer before starting chemotherapy and radiation can help them do better than just having the treatment alone.

More Cervical Cancer trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages20 Years to 70 Years
SexWomen only
Enrollment240 (estimated)
SponsorCHA University
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations26 sites (Bengaluru and 25 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 1, 2022
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2030
Study endsDecember 31, 2030
Registry record updatedApril 9, 2025
Trial IDNCT05421650 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include women aged 20 to 70 with newly diagnosed cervical cancer and significant lymph node metastasis.

Probably not a fit

Patients with other active cancers, those who are pregnant, or those for whom surgical debulking is not feasible 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 clinical trial, known as the DEBULK trial, is a prospective, multicenter, and randomized study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic effect of surgical debulking of bulky or multiple lymph nodes in patients with stage IIICr cervical cancer prior to concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). The study compares outcomes between patients undergoing surgical debulking followed by CCRT and those receiving CCRT alone. The goal is to determine if surgical intervention can improve prognosis and treatment efficacy in this patient population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance treatment outcomes and survival rates for patients with advanced cervical cancer.

How similar studies have gone: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific method of surgical debulking prior to CCRT in cervical cancer is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
1\) Inclusion Criteria

(1) Women aged ≥ 20 years and ≤ 70 years (2) Patients newly diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma (3) Patients with a short-axis diameter of the pelvic LN or para-aortic LN under the renal vein of ≥ 1.5 cm or ≥ 2 LNs with a short-axis diameter ≥ 1 cm in CT or MRI (PET-CT can be used as an auxiliary tool) (4) Patients with CCRT planned as a treatment for cervical cancer (5) Patients whose competency is Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score 0-1 (6) Patients who have signed the approved informed consent form for study participants (7) Patients in whom surgical debulking for LN metastasis was possible, as confirmed by radiological examination.

2\) Exclusion Criteria

(1) Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer of any organ other than thyroid cancer (excluding stage 0 cancer) within the previous 5 years (2) Patients who are pregnant or plans to conceive during the clinical study period (3) Patients with any active infectious disease or incurable severe inflammation (4) Patients who cannot undergo surgery due to internal or surgical disease (5) Patients who cannot receive chemotherapy due to internal or surgical disease (6) Patients with a history of pelvic RT (7) Patients with a history of subtotal hysterectomy (8) Patients with remote metastasis other than a pelvic or para-aortic LN (e.g., lung, subclavian, and inguinal LNs)

Where it's running

  • Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital Cheonan
    Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Korea University Ansan Hospital
    Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Dongguk University Medical Center
    Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • National Cancer Center
    Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University
    Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital
    Yangsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
    Recruiting
Show 20 more locations
  • Samsung Changwon Medical Center
    Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital
    Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences
    Busan, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Inje University Busan Paik Hospital
    Busan, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital
    Daegu, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital
    Daegu, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Gachon University Gil Medical Center
    Incheon, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Korea University Anam Hospital
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Seoul National University Hospital
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Severance Hospital
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Hanyang University Medical Center
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Konkuk University Medical Center
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Asan Medical Center
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Gangnam Severance Hospital
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Samsung Medical Center
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Seoul ST. Mary's Hospital
    Seoul, South Korea
    Recruiting
  • Aster CMI Hospital
    Bengaluru, India
    Not yet recruiting
  • Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
    Rome, Italy
    Not yet recruiting
  • First Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, "G. E. Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology
    Târgu Mureş, Romania
    Not yet recruiting
  • Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital
    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    Active not recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.