Could a 2-Week radiation course replace longer treatment for skin cancer?
NCT ID NCT06998342
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a short course of radiation (5 treatments over 2 weeks) can prevent cancer from coming back in people with high-risk head and neck skin cancer after surgery. For those with moderate-risk cancer, researchers want to see if simply monitoring them closely is safe instead of giving radiation. The trial will enroll 24 adults and follow them for 2 years to check for recurrence.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Short-course radiation therapy (5 treatments over 2 weeks)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a shorter, more convenient radiation option for high-risk skin cancer and show that some patients can safely skip radiation altogether.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase pilot study with only 24 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The active surveillance approach carries a risk of cancer returning without immediate treatment.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 24 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2025
- Expected to finish
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May 2031
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 years and older
- 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: * Pathologically confirmed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head \& neck region, defined as extending from vertex of head to supraclavicular region. * Mohs micrographic surgery with or without further surgery following Mohs to achieve negative margins (i.e. R0 margin status) within 70 days prior to registration * Appropriate stage for study entry (T1-T3 N0 M0; AJCC 8th ed.) based on the following diagnostic workup: * Clinical exam within 60 days prior to registration * CT head \& neck/soft tissue with IV contrast within 60 days prior to registration or MR face and neck with IV contrast. IV contrast may be held if medically contraindicated. * Bilateral neck ultrasound within 60 days prior to registration * Risk Factors fitting either the High-Risk or Moderate-Risk Categories: * Risk Factor Definitions Major Risk Factors: Microscopic Extensive PNI (defined as PNI for \>3 nerves with all involved nerves either \>0.1 mm in size and/or deeper than the dermis), Gross PNI (defined as perineural spread evidenced on by MRI imaging, with cranial nerve deficit, or both), Size \>6 cm, or Recurrent disease status post prior Mohs Moderate-Risk Factors: Poor differentiation, 4-6 cm, PNI (defined as \>0.1 mm in size) BWH Risk factors: \>2 cm, poor differentiation, deep invasion, PNI (\>0.1 mm in size) • BWH: T2a = 1 risk factor; T2b = 2-3 risk factors, T3 = 4 risk factors High-Risk Group (Group H) Any 1 major OR 2-3 moderate OR BWH T3 Moderate-Risk Group (Group M) BWH T2b not meeting criteria for High-Risk. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients receiving any other investigational agents. Patients pregnant or nursing due to the potential for congenital abnormalities and the potential of this regimen to harm nursing infants. Serious medical comorbidities that, in the opinion of the radiation oncologist, would prevent participation in this study. Prior systemic chemotherapy for the study cancer; note that prior chemotherapy for different cancer(s) is allowable Prior radiotherapy to the region of the study cancer that would result in overlap of radiation therapy fields Actively receiving systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunosuppressive, anti-monocyte or immunomodulatory therapy.
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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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University of Vermont Medical Center
RECRUITINGBurlington, Vermont, 05401, United States
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