Robot vs. camera: which lung cancer surgery is better?

NCT ID NCT02617186

Ongoing Knowledge-focused Sponsor: St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study compares two types of minimally invasive lung cancer surgery: robotic-assisted surgery and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). About 446 people with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer will be randomly assigned to one of the two procedures. The main goal is to see if one approach leads to better quality of life 12 weeks after surgery, and also to compare costs.

What this could mean

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

What this could lead to: If robotic surgery proves better for quality of life or cost, it could become the preferred minimally invasive option for early-stage lung cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a comparative effectiveness study, not a test of a new treatment. Results may show no meaningful difference between the two surgical approaches.

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.

non-small cell lung carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER THORACIC SURGERY

Contacts and locations

Locations

McMaster University / St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4A6, Canada

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