Fiber pills may ease radiation side effects for pelvic cancer patients
NCT ID NCT04534075
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This completed phase 3 trial tested whether taking psyllium husk fiber capsules during pelvic radiation therapy could reduce gut inflammation and urgency symptoms. 354 adults with pelvic cancers (like rectal, prostate, or gynecological) took either fiber or placebo capsules daily. The study measured blood inflammation markers and patient-reported bowel urgency to see if extra fiber helps long-term gut health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- dietary fiber from psyllium husk
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to protect the gut and reduce urgent bowel symptoms during pelvic radiation therapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed phase 3 trial, but the added fiber might increase acute side effects instead of helping. Results are not yet published, so we don't know if it worked.
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
-
Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
-
354 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2020
- Finished
-
Sep 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 to 80 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * Planned preoperative (neoadjuvant) or curative radiation therapy for a tumor in the pelvic cavity (including all forms of gynecological cancer, colorectal cancer, anal cancer, prostate cancer, and urinary bladder cancer). Exclusion Criteria: * Preoperative stoma which, according to the attending physician, prevents participation * Difficulty swallowing or ileus conditions which, according to the treating physician, prevent participation * Cognitive dysfunction which, according to the treating physician, prevents participation * Need for an interpreter to communicate in Swedish
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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
-
Jubileumskliniken, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Gothenburg, 413 45, Sweden
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