The Impact of Surgical Treatment on Survival in Localized Small Cell Esophageal Cancer (NCT07596654) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
The Impact of Surgical Treatment on Survival in Localized Small Cell Esophageal Cancer
China4 participantsStarted 2026-05-15
Plain-language summary
Limited-stage small cell esophageal carcinoma (LS-SCEC) is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and no established standard treatment strategy. Due to its low incidence, current evidence is mainly derived from small retrospective studies, and the role of surgery in multimodal treatment remains controversial. In particular, the survival benefit of surgical treatment compared with definitive non-surgical therapy has not been fully clarified.
This single-center retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the impact of surgical versus non-surgical treatment strategies on survival outcomes in patients with LS-SCEC. Patients receiving surgical treatment, including surgery alone, neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery, or surgery followed by adjuvant therapy, will be compared with patients receiving definitive non-surgical treatment, including chemoradiotherapy-based approaches.
Clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes will be retrospectively collected and analyzed. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival (PFS) and treatment-related prognostic factors. Propensity score-based methods and multivariable survival analyses will be performed to reduce potential selection bias and evaluate the independent association between treatment strategy and prognosis.
The study is expected to provide additional real-world evidence regarding the optimal management of LS-SCEC and help guide individualized treatment decision-making for this rare disease.
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 pathologically diagnosed with primary small cell esophageal carcinoma (SCEC).
* Patients classified as having limited-stage disease at initial diagnosis, defined as tumor confined to the esophagus and/or regional lymph nodes without evidence of distant metastasis.
* Patients who received definitive treatment at the study institution, including surgical treatment (with or without neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy) or definitive non-surgical treatment such as chemoradiotherapy-based therapy.
* Patients with complete baseline clinicopathological and treatment information available in the medical records.
* Patients with available follow-up and survival outcome data.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with extensive-stage disease or distant metastasis at diagnosis.
* Patients with mixed histological subtypes in which small cell carcinoma was not the predominant component.
* Patients who received palliative treatment only.
* Patients with a history of other active malignant tumors within the previous 5 years.
* Patients with incomplete key clinical, treatment, or follow-up data.
* Patients under 18 years old.
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
Overall Survival
Timeframe: From the date of diagnosis until death from any cause or last follow-up, assessed up to 5 years.