Using fluorescent dye to improve tumor margin examination during sarcoma surgery

Evaluation of Intraoperative Tumor Margin Identification With Fluorescent Dye Imaging

PHASE2 · University of Pittsburgh · NCT04719156

This study is testing if a special dye can help surgeons see tumor edges better during sarcoma surgery to make sure they remove all the cancerous tissue.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment110 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Pittsburgh (other)
Locations1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT04719156 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the use of indocyanine green (ICG) dye to enhance the identification of tumor margins during surgical excision of sarcomas. Participants will receive an injection of ICG prior to surgery, and the accuracy of the dye in highlighting residual tumor tissue will be assessed using ICG angiography. The goal is to improve the precision of tumor removal and reduce the likelihood of leaving behind cancerous tissue. The study aims to provide real-time feedback to surgeons about the completeness of tumor excision.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with a biopsy-confirmed primary musculoskeletal tumor indicated for surgical excision.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and those with certain medical conditions or prior surgeries near the tumor site may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective surgical outcomes by ensuring complete removal of tumors, potentially reducing recurrence rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results using ICG for tumor margin assessment, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients above the age of 18 with a primary musculoskeletal tumor that has been indicated for surgical excision by a fellowship trained orthopaedic oncologist.
* Surgical consent was obtained prior to research consent.
* Patients with a biopsy-confirmed primary soft tissue or bone tumor that has not been previously excised and has a known risk of local or remote recurrence.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients below the age of 18
* Pregnancy, breast feeding
* Patients with a history of anaphylactic reaction to contrast media or fluorescein allergy
* Prior surgery local to the mass being excised
* Non- or minimally-recurrent masses (i.e. osteochondroma)
* Dialysis, renal failure, uremia

Where this trial is running

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Sarcoma

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.