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Testing Whether Skin Cancer Has Spread to Nearby Lymph Nodes

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07746258
Acronym
CECRE
Enrollment
142
Registered
2026-08-05
Start date
2014-07-25
Completion date
2028-04-01
Last updated
2026-08-19

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

Conditions

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC)

Keywords

Cutaneous squamos Carcinoma, Sentinel nodul

Brief summary

This study is about a type of skin cancer called high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HRcSCC). Although most people with this type of skin cancer are successfully treated, some patients have a higher chance that the cancer will spread to nearby lymph nodes. When this happens, treatment becomes more difficult and the chances of recovery are lower. The aim of this study is to find out whether looking for cancer spread at a very early stage can improve patients' health and survival. The study focuses on the sentinel lymph node, which is the first lymph node that fluid from the skin tumour reaches. If cancer cells begin to spread, this is usually the first place where they are found. By examining this lymph node, doctors may be able to detect cancer spread before it can be seen on scans or felt during a physical examination. A total of 142 participants with high-risk skin cancer who have no signs of cancer spread at the time of diagnosis will take part in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to one of two groups: Sentinel lymph node biopsy group: Participants will have the usual surgery to remove the skin cancer, together with a small operation to remove the sentinel lymph node. If cancer cells are found in this lymph node, doctors may recommend further treatment, such as surgery to remove additional nearby lymph nodes. Standard care group: Participants will receive the current standard treatment, which includes surgery to remove skin cancer followed by regular follow-up visits. Further treatment will only be given if there are later signs that the cancer has spread. Both groups will receive the same regular follow-up care for five years, including medical examinations and imaging tests to check for any signs that the cancer has returned or spread. Researchers will compare the two groups to determine whether examining the sentinel lymph node helps doctors detect cancer spread earlier, reduces the chance of the cancer returning, and improves long-term survival. The study will also help identify which patients are most likely to benefit from this approach.

Interventions

PROCEDURELymphadenectomy

1. Lymphogampigraphy. A planar lymphogampigraphy will be performed, and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) study if necessary, to study the location of the lymph node or sentinel node. Approximate cutaneous marking with a permanent marker will be performed to facilitate the intraoperative location of the node. 2. Surgical intervention will begin with tumor exeresis to prevent interference that hinders the posterior location of the sentinel node. The sentinel node will then be detected with the help of a portable gammagraphic probe. The surgeon will practice a small cutaneous incision through which we will introduce the probe, performing a tracing from more superficial planes to deeper planes. Once located, the sentinel node will be biopsied and is counted on ex vivo radioactivity. In those patients where it is indicated to perform elective cervical lymphadenectomy.

Sponsors

Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER
Fundació Institut Germans Trias i Pujol
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

Patients with HRcSCC according to the criteria established in the following table. Diagnosis of HRcSCC will be made if it complies: * 3 major criteria * 2 major criteria and 2 minor criteria * 1 major criteria and 4 minor criteria. Major clinical criteria: Major histological criteria: 1. Dystrophic epidermolysis ampollosa 2. Epidermodysplasia verruciforme 3. Congenital dyskeratosis Major tumor thickness of 6 mm. 4. Pigmentose xeroderm 5. Oculocutaneous albinism * Immunosuppression by: Perineural invasion Pulmonary transplantation to heart Hematological disease * Location: lip, anogenital, atrial pavilion Bone infiltration * Tumor recurrence * Major tumor diameter of 5 cm. * Sign informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* \- Presence of clinically obvious metastases (N1) * Concomitan pathologies with high risk of lethality. * Concomitan pathologies that contraindicate the test. * Pregnancy * Breastfeeding * T3 or T4 of lip are excluded. These patients will be performed cervical lymphadenectomy by protocol.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Overall survivalUp to 5 years since interventionTime (days) elapsed between diagnosis and death of the patient attributable to the disease before the end of the follow-up period.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Disease-free timeUp to 5 years since interventionDisease free time: Time (days) elapsed between the end of treatment and the appearance of disease in the form of local, regional and/or remote recurrence.
Regional metastasesUp to 5 years since interventionClinical and/or radiological presence of adenopathies in the territory of tumor drainage including metastases in transit since intervention to 5 years later
Remote metastasesUp to 5 years since interventionclinical and/or radiological presence of metastases outside the lymphatic drainage territory
Local recurrenceUp to 5 years since interventionreappearance of the lesion in the same location once treated

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 20, 2026