Could the anesthesia used during surgery influence whether esophageal cancer returns?
NCT ID NCT04513808
First seen Sep 08, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether the type of anesthesia given during esophageal cancer surgery affects how long patients stay free of cancer recurrence. Researchers will randomly assign about 1,600 adults with stage 1 to 3 esophageal cancer to receive either propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia or sevoflurane-based anesthesia. The study tracks recurrence-free survival, time in the ICU, hospital stay, and quality of recovery. The goal is to see if the choice of anesthetic could influence long-term outcomes after curative surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia compared with sevoflurane-based anesthesia
- What this could lead to
- If propofol-based anesthesia improves recurrence-free survival, it could offer a simple way to improve outcomes after esophageal cancer surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a large trial, but the effect of anesthesia on cancer recurrence is uncertain. Results may show no difference, and both anesthetics carry standard surgical risks.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 1,614 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2020
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 90 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Primary esophageal cancer without known extension beyond the esophagus. (i.e. believed to be Tumor Stage 1-3). * Scheduled for potentially curative esophageal cancer surgery. * Written informed consent, including willingness to be randomized to intravenous versus volatile anesthesia. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous surgery for esophageal cancer (except diagnostic biopsies) Age \<18 or \>85 years old. * ASA Physical Status ≥4. * Any contraindication to propofol or sevoflurane. * Other cancer not believed by the attending surgeon to be in long-term remission. * Systemic disease believed by the attending surgeon to present ≥25% two- year mortality.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Shanhai Chest Hospital
RECRUITINGShanghai, China
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