Recruiting

Removing a Cancerous Lymph Node to Prevent Melanoma Recurrence

Plain-English translation of NCT05839912 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated September 2025 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

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This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

The EXCILYNT trial is testing whether removing just one cancerous lymph node (the lymph node that has melanoma cancer in it) can prevent the cancer from coming back in that area. Researchers want to understand how well this focused surgery works and how it affects your daily life and side effects.

Currently, doctors aren't sure whether removing only the one cancerous lymph node is enough to stop melanoma from returning, or whether removing more lymph nodes in the area is necessary. This trial aims to answer that question so doctors can offer patients a less invasive option if it works just as well.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with melanoma that has spread to exactly one lymph node (in your armpit, groin, or pelvic area)
the cancerous lymph node was found either by physical exam or by imaging scans (PET-CT or MRI)
you are age 18 or older
you are in good enough overall health to have surgery (performance status 0–2)
you have had scans (PET-CT and head CT or MRI) to make sure the cancer hasn't spread elsewhere in your body

You likely don't qualify if…

you have already had your entire lymph node basin surgically removed or radiation therapy to that area
you have melanoma that has spread to the skin between your primary tumor and the lymph node, or to nearby satellite areas
you have evidence of melanoma spreading to other parts of your body beyond the one lymph node being studied

What participation looks like

You will receive surgery to remove the one cancerous lymph node from your body. Depending on which group you join, this surgery may happen before or after you receive systemic therapy (medication treatment for cancer that travels through your whole body). The study team will monitor you over time to see if the cancer comes back, check for side effects from surgery, and ask about how the surgery has affected your daily life and quality of life.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 3, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(7 sites)

United States

Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York

Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina