Radioactive implants during surgery aim to stop head and neck Cancer's return
NCT ID NCT02467738
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested whether placing tiny radioactive seeds (Cesium-131) into the wound during surgery can kill leftover cancer cells in patients whose head and neck cancer has come back. Thirty adults with resectable tumors received the implant right after tumor removal. Researchers tracked how long patients stayed cancer-free and monitored side effects like infection or poor healing. The goal is to see if this extra step can lower the chance of cancer returning.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Cesium-131 (radioactive implant)
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could offer a new way to reduce cancer recurrence after surgery for head and neck cancer that has come back.
What could go wrong
This is a very early pilot study with only 30 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Risks include infection, poor wound healing, bleeding, and fistula formation.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for RECURRENT HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States