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.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 20 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 240 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | CHA University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 26 sites (Bengaluru and 25 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 1, 2022 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2030 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | April 9, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT05421650 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
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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
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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
- Principal investigator: Ju-Won Roh — CHA University Ilsan Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ju-Won Roh
- Email: rohjuwon@hanmail.net
- Phone: +82-31-782-8312
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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.