Plain-English translation of NCT06554652 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Thyroid Cancer research guide →Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.
This trial is testing whether a less extensive surgical approach — called selective neck dissection — works as well as the traditional more extensive surgery (modified neck dissection) for patients with papillary thyroid cancer that has spread to a few lymph nodes in the neck. Researchers want to see if the simpler surgery is just as safe and effective, while potentially improving quality of life and causing fewer side effects.
Currently, doctors often remove many lymph nodes from the neck to treat thyroid cancer, even when only a few nodes are affected. This trial exists to find out if removing only the affected lymph nodes works just as well, which could mean less damage to surrounding structures and better quality of life for patients.
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If you join this trial, you will be randomly assigned to receive one of two surgical approaches: selective neck dissection (removing only affected lymph nodes) or modified neck dissection (removing more lymph nodes and surrounding tissue). Your surgeon will use a radioactive tracer to help identify which nodes to remove. After surgery, you will have follow-up visits to monitor for cancer recurrence and to assess your quality of life and any side effects from the procedure.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 4, 2026 · Not medical advice
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