Early Palliative Care in Patients With Metastatic Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers Treated With Fir… (NCT02853474) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 3
Early Palliative Care in Patients With Metastatic Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers Treated With First-line Chemotherapy
France480 participantsStarted 2016-10
Plain-language summary
This prospective, randomized, open-label and multicenter phase III study is aimed to estimate the survival benefit of Early Palliative Care (EPC) combined with standard oncology care including first-line chemotherapy (experimental arm) over standard oncology care only (standard arm), in patients with metastatic upper gastrointestinal cancers (gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, biliary tract cancers).
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.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients with an upper gastrointestinal metastatic cancer: pancreatic, biliary tract, esophageal or gastric (including junctional Siewert 2 and 3 cancers) cancers.
NB: gastrooesophageal junctional cancers with dysphagia and/or gastric/gastrooesophageal cancers with unknown or positive HER2 status are not eligible.
* Patients planed to be treated with first-line chemotherapy for metastatic disease.
* Age ≥ 18 years
* Life expectancy ≥ 1 month
* Performance status (OMS) ≤ 2
* Good understanding of French language
* Signed and dated informed consent
* Patients covered by government health insurance
Exclusion Criteria:
* Locally advanced cancer
* Junctional Siewert 1 gastrooesophageal cancer
* Gastric or junctional gastrooesophageal cancer with dysphagia (Atkinson\>2)
* Gastric or junctional gastrooesophageal cancer with unknown or positive HER2 status (IHC: +++ or IHC ++ and FISH/SISH +)
* Compression of the biliary tract requiring a bypass
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.