Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

A Study of Short-course Hypofractionated Online-adaptive Radiotherapy for the Post-operative Treatment of Endometrial Cancer: Tolerability and Feasibility

This study is investigating a new, faster way to give radiotherapy to people who have had surgery for womb cancer. Normally, this treatment takes 25 sessions over five weeks. This new approach uses advanced technology, called CT online-adaptive radiotherapy, to potentially deliver the full treatment in just 5 sessions over a week and a half. The main goal is to find out if this shorter, more intense course of treatment is safe and possible to deliver using the new technology. Researchers will check for any side effects and how patients feel during and after treatment. If successful, this could mean fewer hospital trips and a more convenient experience for patients while maintaining effectiveness.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

01 Aug 2026

Estimated completion

01 May 2030

Endometrial Carcinoma (EC)

What is this study about?

This study is looking into a new way to give radiotherapy treatment for womb cancer after surgery. Womb cancer is also known as endometrial cancer. Most people who have womb cancer will have surgery to remove it. Sometimes, after surgery, doctors recommend radiotherapy to help make sure all the cancer cells are gone and to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back.

Usually, this radiotherapy involves many hospital visits – often up to 25 sessions over five weeks. This can be a big commitment and can mean a lot of travel and time away from home. This new study wants to see if we can make this process much shorter and more convenient for patients. They are testing if an advanced type of radiotherapy, called CT online-adaptive radiotherapy, can safely deliver the same treatment in just 5 sessions over about a week and a half.

The special technology used in this trial (CT online-adaptive radiotherapy) helps doctors aim the radiation much more precisely. This means they can give a slightly higher dose in each session while hopefully protecting healthy body parts nearby, like the bladder and bowel, from getting too much radiation. The study aims to confirm if this new, quicker approach is safe, causes fewer side effects, and is practical to use in a hospital setting for patients in the UK.

Key takeaways

New study for womb cancer radiotherapy after surgery.
Aims to reduce treatment from 25 sessions to just 5.
Uses advanced 'adaptive' technology for precise treatment.
Checks if the new, shorter course is safe and effective.
Participants will have careful monitoring and follow-up.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you must be an adult aged 18 or over. You need to have been diagnosed with womb cancer, and your doctor must have completely removed the cancer with surgery. You should be in good general health, and your medical team will have decided that you would benefit from radiotherapy after your surgery. If you're also having chemotherapy, you might still be able to join, as long as there's enough time between treatments.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you've already had radiotherapy to your pelvis before, or if there's still some cancer left after your surgery. Also, if you have certain metal implants (like hip replacements) that could block imaging, or if your cancer is a specific type that needs a very large treatment area, you wouldn't be eligible. Your doctor will carefully check all these points with you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had surgery where your womb cancer was completely removed?
Has your doctor recommended radiotherapy after your surgery?
Have you *not* had radiotherapy to your pelvis before?
Do you *not* have certain metal implants that could affect scans?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will receive the new, shorter radiotherapy treatment. This means you'll have 5 radiotherapy sessions over roughly a week and a half, using the special CT online-adaptive technology. During your treatment, the study team will keep a close eye on you and record any issues or side effects you might experience.

After your treatment finishes, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire to share how you tolerated the new technology and felt about it. For two years after your radiotherapy, the study team will continue to record any side effects you have, and you'll also be asked to complete questionnaires about your quality of life. You'll have blood tests before, during, and for three months after your treatment to check for any problems. During this two-year period, doctors will also check if the cancer has returned using examinations and CT scans. After the two years, you'll go back to your usual long-term follow-up care with your doctor for up to five years, but without the extra questionnaires from the study.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer you the benefit of a much shorter radiotherapy treatment, meaning fewer hospital visits and potentially less disruption to your daily life. However, because this is a new way of giving radiotherapy, there's always a chance of unknown or different side effects compared to standard treatment. The study is designed to carefully monitor any potential problems. You will be closely watched by the medical team throughout and after your treatment. Remember, joining any study is completely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting your future medical care.

Locations (1)

The Royal Marsden Hospital - Sutton
Verified postcode
Sutton, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'online-adaptive radiotherapy'?

It's a special type of radiotherapy that uses daily scans to adjust the treatment in real-time, making it more accurate and protecting healthy body parts better.

What is the difference between this treatment and standard radiotherapy?

Standard radiotherapy for womb cancer usually involves 25 sessions over five weeks. This study is testing if the new technology can safely deliver the same treatment in just 5 sessions over about a week and a half.

Will I still get my usual follow-up care if I join?

Yes, you'll have extra follow-up for the study for two years, and then you'll return to your regular long-term follow-up with your doctor for up to five years, exactly as you would normally.

What if I start the study but decide I don't want to continue?

You are free to stop participating in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

What specific type of womb cancer is this for?

The study includes several common types of womb cancer, such as endometrioid, clear cell, and serous carcinoma, as long as the cancer has been fully removed by surgery.

How to find out more

Benjamin James Thomas, Clinical Research Fellow

shorten.trial@rmh.nhs.uk +442086426011 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.