Can a Mid-Treatment scan make radiation smarter?

NCT ID NCT03403465

Ongoing Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Duke University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study is testing whether doing a special PET scan during radiation treatment can help doctors adjust the plan to better target tumors and spare healthy tissue. It involves 90 adults with cervical, vulvar, esophageal, or anal cancer. The goal is to see if this approach improves outcomes like tumor control and survival.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: FDG PET scan (imaging test)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that a mid-treatment PET scan helps doctors personalize radiation therapy, potentially improving tumor control and reducing damage to healthy tissue.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study focused on gathering information, not proving a new treatment works. The PET scan may not lead to better outcomes for all patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ANAL CANAL CANCER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anal canal cancer cervical cancer cervical carcinoma cloacogenic carcinoma esophageal cancer Esophageal Neoplasms Uterine Cervical Neoplasms vulva cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANAL CANAL CANCER CANCER OF THE CERVIX ESOPHAGEAL CANCER VULVAR CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Duke University Medical Center

Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.