WithdrawnNot Applicable

Cancer of the Head of the Pancreas: Early Surgery or Preoperative Biliary Drainage?

Stopped: Investigators busy with other projects at the moment.

Finland0Started 2017-11-26

Plain-language summary

Surgical resection is the only option for cure for patients with a resectable tumor located at the head of the pancreas. At the time of diagnosis, these patients often suffer from jaundice. Studies have suggested, that jaundice might increase the risk of developing a serious postoperative complication. Preoperative biliary drainage is widely used, because it is considered to improve the surgical outcome and reduce the amount of postoperative complications. There are also studies that suggest the opposite. In these studies the overall complication rate with patients who underwent preoperative biliary drainage was higher than in the patients who were operated right away. A significant amount of these complications were related to the biliary drainage process itself. However, preoperative biliary decompression is widely used in many centers as many surgical centers don't possess the needed resources to arrange early surgery. The benefits and risks of this procedure remain unclear. This multicenter trial aims to compare the surgical outcome and the rate of serious complications in patients who proceed directly to early surgery and patients who have preoperative biliary drainage.

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 in this study must have a resectable tumor of the head of the pancreas, and no evidence of distant metastasis or local vascular involvement. At the beginning of the study it's not necessary to have an accurate histologic diagnosis, the tumor might be malignant or benign. The patients also have jaundice with a total serum bilirubin level of 40-250µmol/l, and are fit enough to be considered for an early surgery. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with ongoing cholangitis, neoadjuvant treatments or previous biliary drainage with stenting by means of ERCP or PTC (Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiogram) are excluded.

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

Emerged complications related to surgery or preoperative endoscopy within 120 days of surgery

Timeframe: 120 days after surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03358095

SponsorHelsinki University Central Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Pancreatic Cancer trials