Cancer Surgery clinical trials

Comparing two numbing medicines for lung surgery pain

This study compares two types of numbing medicine (liposomal vs. hydrochloride bupivacaine) injected near the ribs during lung surgery. The goal is to see which one provides better pain relief after the operation.

Ivonescimab before surgery for head and neck cancer

This study tests a new immunotherapy drug called ivonescimab given before surgery for people with advanced head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if it helps shrink the tumor and improve outcomes.

Segmentectomy vs lobectomy for small middle-lung lung cancer

This trial compares two types of lung surgery for certain small lung cancers in the middle part of the lung: removing a segment (segmentectomy) versus removing a whole lobe (lobectomy). It aims to see which surgery works better while balancing cancer control and lung function.

Imaging mouth lesions during surgery to see them more clearly

This study uses a special dye and camera imaging while you have surgery or a biopsy to remove a mouth lesion. The goal is to better visualize the lesion during the operation, which may help doctors guide care more accurately.

Re-irradiation with or without hyperthermia, or surgery only for recurrent breast cancer

This trial compares three treatment options for breast cancer that has come back in the chest or lymph nodes after previous radiation. It looks at adding hyperthermia (heating the tumor area) to re-irradiation, versus just re-irradiation or surgery alone, to see which offers better quality of life and survival with fewer side effects.

Axillary lymph node surgery choices for HER2+ and triple-negative breast cancer

This study examines the best surgical approach for removing underarm lymph nodes in patients with HER2-positive or triple-negative breast cancer who have received chemotherapy before surgery and still have cancer in their lymph nodes. The goal is to understand whether removing more lymph nodes improves outcomes for these patients.

CT scan vs standard sizing for breathing tubes in chest surgery

This study compares two methods for choosing the right size breathing tube for lung surgery: one uses a CT scan beforehand, the other uses standard sizing. The goal is to see which method works better and causes fewer complications.

Cemiplimab and Fianlimab before lung cancer surgery

This trial tests whether two immunotherapy drugs (cemiplimab and fianlimab) given before surgery can help treat stage IB to IIIB non-small cell lung cancer. You must have a PD-L1 level of at least 1% and your surgeon must think the tumor can be fully removed.

Surgery and tumor testing in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)

This study looks at how surgery for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) works, and collects tumor samples to study them under the microscope and by DNA testing. Your results may help researchers better predict tumor behavior and guide future treatment.

Gemcitabine and oxaliplatin with a chemotherapy pump for bile duct cancer

This Phase 2 study tests gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin chemotherapy, and whether adding a chemotherapy pump (with floxuridine and dexamethasone) delivered to the liver improves outcomes. It is for people whose intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cannot be removed with surgery.

Testing adding cemiplimab to chemo before surgery for sinus cancer

This trial tests whether adding the immunotherapy drug cemiplimab to standard chemotherapy before surgery helps treat sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to see if this combination reduces tumors more effectively than chemotherapy alone.

Lymph bypass before underarm node surgery to prevent swelling

This study looks at whether adding a lymph “bypass” procedure before underarm lymph node surgery can lower the chance of arm or chest swelling (lymphedema) after cancer treatment. It compares people having lymph node surgery for breast cancer with plans for radiation, and a melanoma comparison group.

Study of a new imaging method for skin cancer surgery

This study is testing a new imaging technology that helps surgeons see if all the cancer cells have been removed during Mohs surgery for basal cell carcinoma. It may help improve accuracy and reduce the need for additional surgeries.

Radiation before surgery for large brain metastases

This trial tests a new approach for people with a single large brain tumor that has spread from another cancer. You would receive a short, focused dose of radiation (stereotactic radiosurgery) in small, separate treatments, followed by surgery to remove the tumor. The goal is to see if this combination works better than the usual treatment.

Chemo, radiation, and immunotherapy for advanced rectal cancer that has spread a little

This trial tests a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and an immunotherapy drug (serplulimab) for people with rectal cancer that has spread to just a few spots in the body (no more than 5 tumors in up to 2 locations). It aims to see if this approach is safe and effective.

HDAC inhibitor with chemoimmunotherapy before colon cancer surgery

This trial tests adding an HDAC inhibitor to standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery for a type of colon cancer called pMMR that has grown into nearby fat or deeper. The goal is to see if this combination can shrink the tumor more effectively and improve outcomes.

Testing a standard approach for pleuropulmonary blastoma, with or without topotecan

This trial compares a standard surgery and chemotherapy plan for type I pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) to adding the drug topotecan for types II and III PPB. The goal is to see if the extra drug helps shrink tumors and improve outcomes for children with more advanced disease.

A study to see if a special stitch can prevent hernia after belly surgery

This trial tests whether using a special type of suture (called Stratafix Symmetric) during surgery can help prevent an incisional hernia from forming after abdominal or gastrointestinal cancer surgery. If you are having certain types of major abdominal surgery, this study might be an option for you at the West Michigan Cancer Center.

Nimotuzumab with immunotherapy and chemotherapy for head and neck cancer

This trial tests a combination of three treatments—nimotuzumab (a targeted therapy), a PD-1 inhibitor (which boosts your immune system), and chemotherapy—followed by surgery for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to shrink the tumor and improve survival.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Combined With Bispecific Antibody Versus Combined With Monoclonal Antibody in Locally Advanced NSCLC

Testing dapagliflozin before surgery for early stage lung cancer

This trial tests the safety of dapagliflozin (a diabetes drug) taken before surgery for stage IA lung adenocarcinoma. It may help understand if this drug can slow tumor growth while waiting for surgery.

Toripalimab plus celecoxib for dMMR/MSI-H colorectal cancer

This trial tests whether combining toripalimab (an immunotherapy) with celecoxib (an anti-inflammatory drug) can shrink locally advanced colorectal tumors that have specific genetic features (dMMR or MSI-H). It aims to help people who haven't had any prior treatment for their colorectal cancer.

Vacuum biopsy before surgery to check treatment response

This trial studies a special vacuum-assisted biopsy taken just before breast surgery to see how well pre-surgery (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy worked. It may help doctors understand whether patients truly had a complete or near-complete response on scans, which can guide next steps.

Tislelizumab with chemo and radiation before surgery for advanced esophageal cancer

This trial tests a combination of an immunotherapy drug (tislelizumab) with chemotherapy and radiation, followed by surgery, for people with advanced esophageal cancer that cannot be removed right away. It aims to see if this approach can help shrink the tumor enough to allow surgery.