A randomised trial comparing argon plasma coagulation (APC) and self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) in oesophageal cancer

ISRCTN ISRCTN58821595
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN58821595
Secondary identifying numbers N0077122803
Submission date
12/09/2003
Registration date
12/09/2003
Last edited
22/09/2014
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Cancer
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr JG Freeman
Scientific

Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Gastroenterology & Liver Unit
Derby City General Hospital
Uttoxeter Road
Derby
DE22 3NE
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1332 625532

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Scientific title
Study objectivesTo test the hypothesis that early stent insertion is superior to argon plasma coagulation of oesophageal cancer in the palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia.
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedCancer: oesophageal
InterventionPatients not eligible for surgery, presenting with dysphagia (score of >2) will be randomised to primary treatment with either APC or SEMS. Dysphagia management will be as per randomised arm until clinical indication to crossover. Where the stricture prevents passage of the scope into the stomach, through-the-scope balloon will be performed. Either APC or stenting will be used to overcome tumour obstruction of the oesophagus. Providing the patient is able to swallow liquids after the procedure, they will be discharged for reassessment at 1 week, at which stage a second treatment can be considered to achieve a dysphagia score of 2. If this is not achieved with two treatments, crossover to stenting should be considered. Those patients who have had successful APC will attend the endoscopy unit for repeat treatments at 4 weekly intervals unless dysphagia deems earlier intervention appropriate. Stent patients will be assessed at 1 week, then monthly with quality of life questionnaires in the clinic. Patients requiring further intervention after SEMS insertion due to overgrowth would be considered for re-stenting; those with tumour ingrowth would crossover to APC. Quality of life will be quantified using EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES, prior to intervention and at 4 weekly intervals. Dysphagia scores will be recorded prior to primary intervention, at 1 week after intervention and at 4 weekly intervals. At randomisation, length and position to tumour, histology, disease staging, body mass index and Karnofsky performance score will be recorded.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Comparison of reductions in dysphagia scores between the two groups
2. Comparison of quality of life scores between the two groups
3. Number of interventions per arm and consequent cost analysis
Secondary outcome measuresNot provided at time of registration
Overall study start date04/12/2002
Completion date04/12/2005

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupNot Specified
SexNot Specified
Target number of participantsNot provided at time of registration
Key inclusion criteriaPatients with oesophageal cancer who are not eligible for surgery following multi-disciplinary team discussion who are unable to swallow semi-solid food
Key exclusion criteriaNot provided at time of registration
Date of first enrolment04/12/2002
Date of final enrolment04/12/2005

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Derby
DE22 3NE
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Department of Health (UK)
Government

Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NL
United Kingdom

Website http://www.doh.gov.uk

Funders

Funder type

Government

Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan