SPECT-CT Guided ELEctive Contralateral Neck Treatment in Lateralized Oropharyngeal Cancer
This study, called SELECT-FR, is investigating a new approach to treating a common type of head and neck cancer that affects the throat, known as oropharyngeal cancer. Currently, many patients receive radiotherapy to both sides of their neck, even if cancer is only visible on one side, to catch any tiny cancer cells that might be invisible. This can cause more side effects and impact quality of life. The trial wants to find out if a special scan, called SPECT-CT, can accurately show how cancer spreads through the body's drainage system (lymph nodes). This might help doctors decide if only one side of the neck really needs radiotherapy, potentially reducing side effects without making the treatment less effective. The main goal is to see if this new method can keep patients cancer-free for two years.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This research is looking into a type of cancer that affects the throat area, called oropharyngeal cancer. It's the most common kind of head and neck cancer. Currently, when someone has this cancer, doctors often treat both sides of their neck with radiotherapy. This is because, even if the cancer appears to be only on one side in scans, there's a small chance that tiny cancer cells, too small to see, could be hiding on the other side. While this approach is thorough, treating both sides can lead to more unpleasant side effects and affect a person's daily life.
The SELECT-FR study is exploring a different approach. It uses a special scanning technique called SPECT-CT. This scan can create detailed images that show how fluids drain from the cancer area through the body's lymphatic system (a network of vessels and nodes that helps fight infection). By understanding this drainage, doctors might be able to figure out exactly where the cancer cells are most likely to spread. The hope is that if the scan shows cancer is only likely to go to one side of the neck, then only that side would need radiotherapy.
The main aim of this study is to see if guiding radiotherapy with this SPECT-CT scan is just as good at preventing the cancer from coming back within two years, compared to the standard treatment. If successful, this new method could mean fewer side effects for patients, helping them feel better during and after treatment, while still effectively fighting the cancer.
Key takeaways
- This study evaluates a potentially gentler way to deliver radiotherapy for throat cancer.
- It uses a special scan (SPECT-CT) to help doctors target radiotherapy more precisely.
- The goal is to reduce side effects and improve quality of life while keeping treatment effective.
- Participation involves being randomly assigned to either the new approach or standard treatment.
- Regular check-ups will monitor your health during and after treatment for about three years.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you would need to be 18 years or older and have been diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer that's only on one side of your throat and hasn't spread to other parts of your body, or to the opposite side of your neck. Your cancer should not be crossing the middle line of your throat.
Doctors will also check your overall health and how well your body is coping, for example, your blood counts, and how well your kidneys and liver are working. You would also need to have had specific scans recently to get a full picture of your cancer. Your doctor will carefully review all your medical information to see if this study is right for you.
It's important that you are planning to have radiotherapy to both sides of your neck, with or without chemotherapy, as part of your treatment plan. This study is specifically designed for patients who would normally receive treatment to both sides of the neck.
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 or older?
- Do you have oropharyngeal cancer that's mainly on one side of your throat?
- Are you able to have radiotherapy to both sides of your neck (with or without chemotherapy)?
- Are you generally in good health and able to have treatment?
- Have you recently had specific scans (CT, MRI, PET-CT) for your cancer?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, you’ll first be asked to sign a consent form, making sure you understand everything involved. You'll then be randomly assigned to one of two groups, like flipping a coin. One group will have a special SPECT-CT scan to help guide their radiotherapy. The other group will receive the standard radiotherapy treatment to both sides of the neck.
Both groups will receive radiotherapy to the main cancer area. Depending on your group, you'll either have radiotherapy guided by the SPECT-CT scan to one side of your neck, or standard radiotherapy to both sides of your neck. This treatment might also include chemotherapy. The radiotherapy will last for about 6-7 weeks.
You will have regular check-ups during your treatment, usually every week. After your treatment ends, you'll continue to be seen by your doctor regularly: every 3 months for the first two years, and then every 6 months for another year. The total follow-up period will be about three years.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (12)
- CHU BrestVerified postcodeBrest, France
- Centre François BaclesseVerified postcodeCaen, France
- CHU CaenVerified postcodeCaen, France
- Centre Georges François LeclercVerified postcodeDijon, France
- Centre de Radiothérapie Guillaume Le ConquérantVerified postcodeLe Havre, France
- Centre Oscar LambretVerified postcodeLille, France
- Institut Régional du Cancer de MontpellierVerified postcodeMontpellier, France
- Hôpital TenonVerified postcodeParis, France
- Centre Henri BecquerelVerified postcodeRouen, France
- Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg - Hôpital de HautepierreVerified postcodeStrasbourg, France
- Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg EuropeVerified postcodeStrasbourg, France
- CHRU Tours - Hôpital BretonneauVerified postcodeTours, France
Common questions
What is 'oropharyngeal cancer'?
It's a type of cancer that starts in the middle part of your throat, specifically the tonsils, soft palate (the back part of the roof of your mouth), the side and back walls of your throat, or the base of your tongue.
What does 'lateralized' mean in this study?
It means the cancer is clearly on one side of your throat and hasn't spread to the other side or to areas in the very middle.
Why is 'SPECT-CT guided' treatment being looked at?
Currently, both sides of the neck are often treated with radiotherapy, which can cause more side effects. SPECT-CT imaging might help doctors be more precise, potentially only treating the necessary areas and reducing side effects.
Will I still get chemotherapy if I join this study?
Depending on your specific cancer and stage, you might still receive chemotherapy with your radiotherapy, just as in standard treatment. The study is about how the radiotherapy is planned, not changing whether chemotherapy is used.
What is 'Disease Free Survival'?
It's a way for doctors to measure how long a patient lives without the cancer coming back or getting worse after treatment. The study wants to see if the new method can keep you cancer-free for at least two years.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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