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.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
Locations
-
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Ultrasound boosts cancer drug in tiny trial
- New triple-drug cocktail takes on hard-to-treat head and neck cancer
- New radiation technique offers hope for head and neck cancer patients with few options
- New drug combo aims to boost immunotherapy for head and neck cancer