RecruitingNot Applicable

ToPanc Trial: Survival After Total Versus Partial Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreatic Head, Distal Cholangiocarcinoma, and Ampullary Cancer

Germany, Switzerland170 participantsStarted 2026-06-01

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if total removal of the pancreas is a preferable alternative to partial removal in patients with cancer of the pancreatic head who are at high risk of pancreatic leakage. The main question it aims to answer is: Does total pancreas removal improve survival without reducing quality of life compared to partial removal? The only study specific procedures are the collection of 2 blood samples (7.5ml for each time point, preoperatively and during the hospitalisation) and the completion of the questionnaires.

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: * Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) scheduled to undergo PD for highly suspected or histologically proven, resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC), and/or ampullary cancer (pancreaticobiliary type) * Suspected pancreas anastomosis at high-risk for development of a postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) (grade "D" according to Schuh et al. (29): Estimation by CT scan, MRI, and/or Endoscopic Ultrasound * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Duodenal carcinoma, ampullary cancer (intestinal type), neuroendocrine tumors, benign tumors, chronic pancreatitis * Medical conditions that do not allow appreciation of the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the trial as judged by the investigator * Pregnancy. A beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (bHCG) pregnancy test must to be performed for women of child-bearing potential (defined as premenopausal women who have not undergone surgical sterilization) * Inability to follow the study procedures, e.g., due to psychological disorders, dementia, etc.

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

Overall survival (OS)

Timeframe: At 2 years

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06801899

SponsorInsel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2030-10

Contact for this trial

Anna S Wenning, MD, PhD

+41 (0)31 632 71 41 annasilvia.wenning@insel.ch

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Pancreatic Cancer trials