Testing Freezing Treatment for Recurring Head and Neck Cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT05738187 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated ·

What is this trial?

This is a pilot study testing cryotherapy—a minimally invasive procedure that uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy cancer cells—for head and neck cancer that has returned in areas previously treated with radiation. The study will enroll 15 patients and evaluate whether this freezing treatment is both safe and effective in controlling the cancer with fewer side effects than other options like repeat radiation.

When head and neck cancer comes back after radiation treatment, options are limited. Surgery may not be possible, repeat radiation can cause serious damage, and standard chemotherapy alone offers limited survival benefit. This medication is being tested because freezing cancer cells is a newer technique used successfully for other cancers, and early evidence suggests it may control tumors with a better safety profile than re-irradiation.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer that has returned in an area that was previously treated with radiation
your cancer cannot be surgically removed
you cannot receive radiation therapy again
you are 18 years or older with a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks
you are in good enough health to undergo the procedure (performance status score of 2 or better on the WHO scale)
you have adequate kidney function and no blood clotting disorders

You likely don't qualify if…

you have cancer that has spread to other parts of your body or have multiple separate tumors
you have melanoma, sarcoma, or lymphoma
you have received chemotherapy or radiation within the past 4 weeks
you have another active cancer or have had one within the past 2 years
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or unable to have an MRI scan

What participation looks like

As a participant, you would undergo a cryotherapy procedure where a doctor uses freezing technology to target your recurring cancer in the previously irradiated area. This is a minimally invasive treatment, meaning it involves smaller incisions than traditional surgery. You would need to attend visits for the procedure itself, imaging tests (like MRI), and follow-up appointments to monitor how well the treatment worked and check for any side effects.

Testing Freezing Treatment for Recurring Head and Neck Cancer

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)