Could less surgery be better for head and neck cancer patients?
NCT ID NCT07369882
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is testing whether people with advanced head and neck cancer who respond well to immunotherapy can have a smaller, less invasive surgery instead of the standard extensive surgery. The goal is to see if the smaller surgery works just as well at controlling the cancer while improving quality of life and preserving important functions like swallowing and speech. The trial will enroll 60 participants and follow them for up to 5 years.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- de-escalated surgery (less extensive tumor removal and neck dissection)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that some patients with head and neck cancer can have smaller surgeries after immunotherapy, preserving more function and quality of life without harming cancer control.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early exploratory study with only 60 participants, so results may not apply broadly. There is a risk that less surgery might not control the cancer as well as standard surgery.
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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
-
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
RECRUITINGGuangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
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