Plain-English translation of NCT02838836 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Researchers are studying tiny cancer cells and cancer DNA found in blood, urine, and bone marrow to better understand how cancer spreads to other parts of the body. By collecting these samples during your cancer surgery, scientists hope to learn more about your specific cancer and eventually help develop treatments tailored just for you.
Even after surgery, many cancer patients experience recurrence—the cancer comes back. Understanding how cancer cells travel through the body and what genetic changes they undergo could help doctors predict who is at higher risk and create personalized treatment plans to prevent this from happening.
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If you join, your participation happens during and immediately after your already-scheduled cancer surgery. The research team will collect blood samples, urine, and possibly a bone marrow sample while you're in the operating room or shortly afterward—no extra visits or appointments are needed. These samples are then studied in the laboratory to look for cancer cells and DNA. The entire study involvement is tied to your surgical procedure.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 9, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Enrollment target
~620 participants
Started
July 2016
Primary completion
December 2027
Age range
18 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in May 2026.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Jussuf T Kaifi, MD, PhD
Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.