Peritumoral MRE Stiffness for Predicting Resection Margin Status and Recurrence in Liver Cancer (NCT07704216) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Peritumoral MRE Stiffness for Predicting Resection Margin Status and Recurrence in Liver Cancer
150 participantsStarted 2026-08-01
Plain-language summary
Microscopic residual tumor at the resection margin is a critical risk factor for recurrence in patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver cancer, yet current detection relies solely on postoperative pathological examination of the resected specimen, which reflects only the removed tissue rather than the actual remnant liver in the patient. How to non-invasively detect residual tumor at the resection margin of the remnant liver after surgery remains an important unresolved problem in the surgical management of liver cancer. We hypothesize that tissue stiffness at the resection margin of the remnant liver, measured by postoperative three-dimensional magnetic resonance elastography (3D-MRE), may reflect microscopic residual tumor and may therefore correlate with pathological resection margin status and be predictive of postoperative tumor recurrence. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of postoperative 3D-MRE in detecting residual tumor at the resection margin, using pathological resection margin status as the reference standard, and to further assess its value in predicting tumor recurrence in patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver cancer.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 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:
* Age 18-80 years
* Pathologically confirmed diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, or liver metastasis (e.g., from colorectal cancer)
* Underwent curative-intent hepatectomy with available postoperative pathological resection margin assessment
* Child-Pugh class A or B liver function (for patients with primary liver cancer)
* Able to undergo 3D-MRE examination at postoperative day 7-14
* Provision of signed and dated informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Contraindication to MRI (e.g., non-MRI-compatible implants, severe claustrophobia)
* Palliative or non-curative surgery (R2 resection)
* Presence of unresectable extrahepatic disease at the time of surgery
* Reoperation or unplanned return to surgery within 14 days after the initial hepatectomy
* Severe postoperative complications precluding MRI examination at postoperative day 7-14 (e.g., unstable vital signs, need for intensive care)
* Death within 14 days after surgery from non-tumor-related causes
* Prior history of liver resection or liver transplantation
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women
* Anticipated poor compliance with postoperative MRE examination or follow-up
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
Diagnostic performance of postoperative 3D-MRE for detecting residual tumor at the resection margin
Timeframe: Postoperative day 7-14
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07704216
SponsorSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University