Can a palliative care team boost quality of life for cancer surgery patients?

NCT ID NCT03611309

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether having a palliative care team work alongside surgeons improves quality of life for patients with gastrointestinal cancers like pancreatic or liver cancer. About 379 patients and their family members took part. The main goal was to see if this team approach leads to better well-being 12 weeks after surgery compared to standard surgeon-only care.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: palliative care team co-management
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could improve quality of life and emotional well-being for patients and families facing major cancer surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but the intervention is supportive care, not a cure. Benefits may be modest and not apply to all cancer types or settings.

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.

cholangiocarcinoma digestive system cancer digestive system neoplasm esophageal cancer Esophageal Neoplasms gastric cancer gastric neoplasm Liver Neoplasms malignant pancreatic neoplasm pancreatic neoplasm pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Dana Farber/ Brigham

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Johns Hopkins Hostpital

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
Ohio State University Medical Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
Stanford University

Stanford, California, 94304, United States
University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States

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