Less invasive needle treatment could rival surgery for liver tumors
NCT ID NCT05129787
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compares two treatments for colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver: surgical removal of tumors versus a less invasive needle ablation procedure guided by 3D imaging. 230 patients are randomly assigned to one of the two treatments. The goal is to see if ablation works as well as surgery in controlling tumor growth and improving survival.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Thermal ablation (needle ablation with 3D verification) and surgical resection
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that needle ablation is as effective as surgery for treating liver metastases, offering a less invasive option with faster recovery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single-center trial with 230 participants, and results may not apply to all patients. Ablation may have higher local recurrence rates than surgery.
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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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 230 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2021
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2030
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: * Histologically verified colorectal cancer * Colorectal liver metastases (proven or suspected) eligible for radical treatment using EITHER resection OR ablation (not a combination), as decided by the liver MDT meeting at the study center * The patient is fit to undergo both resection and ablation of all liver metastases * Size of largest lesion up to and including 30 mm * In case of solitary metastasis, resection plan includes resection of ≤ 2 anatomical segments. * In case of multiple metastases in one continuous resection, resection plan can include ≤ 4 anatomical segments (including hemihepatectomy) * ≤ 5 tumors to be treated in one procedure * Primary tumor either resected (primary first) or with a plan for curative treatment (liver first). Exclusion Criteria: • More than 3 lung metastases where 1 is \>10mm, or 1 lung metastasis \>15 mm (OR: unresectable lung metastases as decided by the lung MDT meeting) * Presence of extrahepatic, extrapulmonary metastases. * Surgical indication for removal of enlarged lymph nodes in the hepatic hilum. (Enlarged lymph nodes without indication of removal are not considered an exclusion criterium) * Tumor closer than 10 mm to right/left main bile duct * Suspected tumor infiltration to adjacent organs * Progression (as of RECIST \[18\]) on 2nd line chemotherapy * Previous inclusion in this trial * Not eligible for workup according to study criteria * Contraindication to contrast enhanced CT scan * Manifest liver cirrhosis * Pregnancy * ECOG performance status ≥3 * Simultaneous resection of primary tumor or any other concomitant surgical procedure * Any other reason why, in the investigator's opinion, the patient should not be included.
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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
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Oslo University Hospital, Department of Gastrointestinal surgery, The National Hospital
Oslo, 0424, Norway
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