The Role of Prophylactic Central Compartment Neck Dissection in the Management of 2 to 4 cm Papil… (NCT06899347) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
The Role of Prophylactic Central Compartment Neck Dissection in the Management of 2 to 4 cm Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
392 participantsStarted 2026-04-28
Plain-language summary
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy and is frequently associated with microscopic central neck lymph node metastases, even in the absence of preoperative clinical evidence of nodal involvement (cN0). While prophylactic central compartment neck dissection (pCCND) may improve staging accuracy and potentially reduce disease persistence or recurrence, its routine use remains controversial due to the risk of increased surgical morbidity and potential negligible impact on oncologic outcomes.
This prospective randomized study aims to evaluate the oncological and surgical outcomes of cN0 PTC patients with tumors measuring 2 to 4 cm who undergo thyroid surgery with or without pCCND. Patients will be treated according to standard clinical practice with either total thyroidectomy (TT) or thyroid lobectomy (TL), and randomized to receive pCCND (bilateral or ipsilateral, respectively) or not. Patients undergoing TT and those undergoing TL will be analyzed separately in two parallel cohorts.
The primary objective is to assess the impact of pCCND on disease persistence or recurrence during long-term follow-up. Secondary objectives include evaluation of surgical complications and the impact of pCCND on pathological staging.
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
. PTC documented by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) (TIR 4 or TIR 5 according to the Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology \[16\]);
. patients scheduled for thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy;
. no pre-operative evidence of lymph node metastases (cN0) at palpation and neck ultrasound (US);
. no clinical evidence of distant metastasis at diagnosis;
. age ≥ 18 years;
. signing informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
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
1
Number of Patients with Persistent or Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Timeframe: from enrollment to 1, 3, 5 and 10 years
2
Overall Survival
Timeframe: from the enrollment to 1, 3, 5, and 10 years