How Liver Size Changes Affect Radiation Therapy Planning for Abdominal Cancers

Plain-English translation of NCT06355895 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

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?

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a precise form of radiation treatment that delivers strong doses to tumors in the upper abdomen in just a few sessions. This trial is investigating how the liver's size naturally changes throughout the day and after eating—and whether these changes affect how well the radiation targets the cancer.

Doctors know that radiation therapy needs to hit the tumor precisely while avoiding healthy organs nearby. The liver is a dynamic organ that changes size based on eating and fasting, but little is known about how these natural changes might affect radiation treatment delivery. This study aims to understand this relationship so that radiation therapy can be planned and delivered more accurately.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, liver cancer, or cancer that has spread to the liver, adrenal gland, or upper abdominal lymph nodes
you are planned to receive stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for your upper abdominal cancer
you have not had previous radiation therapy to your liver
you are able to fast for at least 8 hours before your scans
you do not have a contraindication to receiving iodinated contrast dye (such as severe kidney problems or an unmanageable allergy)

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had prior radiation therapy to your liver
you have kidney problems or a severe allergy to iodinated contrast dye that cannot be managed with medication
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or a woman of childbearing potential who cannot or will not use adequate contraception during treatment
you are unable to fast for the required periods

What participation looks like

You would have three CT scans on the same day. First, you'll have a scan after fasting overnight. Then you'll eat a standardized high-carbohydrate meal and have another scan within an hour. Finally, you'll have a third scan 4–5 hours after the meal. The scans help doctors see how your liver size changes with eating and fasting, which informs how they plan your radiation therapy.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 21, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania