Could a dye and camera spare esophageal cancer patients from extensive lymph node removal?
NCT ID NCT04400292
First seen Jul 07, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study explores whether a dye called indocyanine green (ICG) and a special camera can help surgeons find the first lymph nodes that esophageal cancer may spread to. If this 'sentinel lymph node' mapping works, future surgeries might remove only those key nodes instead of all nearby lymph nodes. The trial involves 90 adults with distal esophageal or esophagogastric junction cancer who are already scheduled for minimally invasive esophagectomy.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Indocyanine green (ICG) dye
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could allow surgeons to remove only key lymph nodes instead of all of them, reducing surgical side effects.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with only 90 participants, and the technique may not reliably identify all affected nodes, limiting its use.
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
-
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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90 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2020
- Expected to finish
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May 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 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Pathological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma tumor located in distal 1/3 of esophagus or esophagogastric junction , with a plan to undergo minimally invasive esophagectomy. * All patients with Stage IVA (AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition) disease will be eligible * ≥18 years of age. * Documented, signed, and dated informed consent, obtained before any procedures, for the proposed research study and for standard surgical resection. Exclusion Criteria: * No plan to undergo surgical resection. * Severe iodide or seafood allergy. * Women of childbearing potential without a negative pregnancy test; or women who are lactating. * Prior diagnosis of severe hepatic or renal dysfunction. * Patients with Stage IVB or M1 disease (AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition) * Patients with local recurrence and planning to undergo salvage esophagectomy
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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
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)
New York, New York, 10065, United States
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