CompletedPhase 3

Video-Assisted Surgery or Talc Pleurodesis in Treating Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma

United Kingdom196 participantsStarted 2003-09

Plain-language summary

RATIONALE: Video-assisted surgery to remove part of the tissue layer covering the inside of the chest cavity may be effective in treating pleural effusion and cause less damage to normal tissue. Talc pleurodesis may keep fluid from building up in the chest cavity. It is not yet known which therapy is more effective in treating pleural effusion caused by malignant mesothelioma. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying video-assisted surgery to see how well it works compared with talc pleurodesis in treating patients with malignant mesothelioma.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Confirmed or suspected mesothelioma * Any subtype allowed * Pleural effusion must be present PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Clinically fit and suitable for video-assisted thoracoscopic cytoreductive pleurectomy * Prior malignancy allowed provided it no longer requires treatment AND patient has a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * No prior attempted pleurodesis by any approach

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Survival at 1 year after treatment

Timeframe: 1 year

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00821860

SponsorPapworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2013-02

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Malignant Mesothelioma trials