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Ganglion Impar Neurolysis for the Improvement of Radiation-Induced Pain During Localized Anal or Perianal Skin Cancer Treatment

Ganglion Impar Neurolysis for Radiation-Induced Pain During Anal Cancer Treatment

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07112690
Enrollment
5
Registered
2025-08-08
Start date
2025-11-10
Completion date
2027-09-30
Last updated
2026-01-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Localized Anal Carcinoma, Localized Anal Margin Carcinoma, Stage 0 Anal Cancer AJCC v8, Stage I Anal Cancer AJCC v8, Stage II Anal Cancer AJCC v8, Stage IIIB Anal Cancer AJCC v8

Brief summary

This clinical trial studies how well ganglion impar neurolysis works to improve radiation-induced pain during the treatment of anal or perianal skin cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized). Treatment for anal or perianal skin cancer includes giving chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) at the same time. CRT is frequently associated with several side effects, including radiation-induced pain. Despite advances in radiation therapy delivery, patients may still experience side effects which can lead to treatment breaks or treatment discontinuation. Ganglion impar neurolysis is a type of nerve block procedure in which medicine is injected directly into or around a nerve to block pain. The location of the procedure is near the tail bone and the medicine numbs the nerves that are in charge of sensation in the skin by the buttocks and genitalia. This may improve radiation-induced pain in patients receiving CRT for localized anal or perianal skin cancer.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To evaluate the feasibility of ganglion impar neurolysis on decreasing pain in patients undergoing definitive CRT for anal cancer defined as decreasing unscheduled treatment breaks to a median of ≤ 3 days. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: I. To track toxicities and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) during treatment including intervention of ganglion impar neurolysis. OUTLINE: Patients undergo ganglion impar neurolysis with fluoroscopy during week 4 of CRT on study. After completion of study intervention, patients are followed up during the last week of radiation therapy and at 3-6 months post-treatment.

Interventions

OTHERElectronic Health Record Review

Ancillary studies

PROCEDUREFluoroscopy

Undergo fluoroscopy

Undergo ganglion impar neurolysis

OTHERQuestionnaire Administration

Ancillary studies

Sponsors

Emory University
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients must have diagnosis of localized anal cancer or perianal skin cancer and have either initiated or about to initiated definitive chemotherapy and radiation therapy for their cancer * Patients who are consistently reporting pain scores of 5 or higher or reporting high pain interference or distress will be approached to participate in the study * Age \> 18 years. Given the rarity of anal cancer in children, children are excluded from this study * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 2 (Karnofsky \> 60%) * Life expectancy of greater than \> 12 months * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document * Inclusion of women and minorities: Both men and women and members of all races and ethnic groups are eligible for this trial * Willingness and ability of the subject to complete the questionnaire * Previous cancer diagnosis (such as colon or previously resected anal cancer) is permitted * A diagnosis of HIV or immunocompromised status is permitted

Exclusion criteria

* Absolute neutrophil count less than 1500 * Platelet count less 80,000

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Frequency of treatment breaksUp to 6 weeks
Change in pain scoresAt weeks 4, 6, and 18Will be assessed using pre- and pos-procedure pain scores as well as Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-29 Profile version (v) 2.0 scale, PROMIS Neuropathic Pain Quality 5a questionnaire, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Patient reported outcomesAt weeks 4, 6, and 18Will be assessed using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Colorectal Cancer Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire and Anal Cancer Questionnaire.
Narcotic useUp to 6 weeksWill be assessed using daily narcotic pain medication pill log.
Incidence of adverse eventsUp to 18 weeksWill be assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTJolinta Y. Lin, MD
jolinta.lin@emory.edu404-778-1900
CONTACTVinita Singh, MD, MS
vinita.singh@emory.edu404-778-1900
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJolinta Y. Lin, MD

Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026