Can a simple steroid injection prevent a painful complication of esophageal surgery?

NCT ID NCT04498260

Completed Prevention Sponsor: Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026

Summary

After endoscopic removal of large, early-stage esophageal tumors, the esophagus can narrow and make swallowing difficult. This trial tests whether injecting a steroid directly into the surgical site works better than taking oral steroids to prevent that narrowing. About 30 people who have had extensive endoscopic resections will be randomly assigned to one of the two steroid approaches, and doctors will track how many develop strictures and how many dilation procedures are needed.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: triamcinolone acetonide (injected steroid) or prednisolone (oral steroid)
What this could lead to: If one method works better, it could become the standard way to prevent painful narrowing of the esophagus after endoscopic surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 30 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Steroids carry risks like infection and high blood sugar.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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