Testing a dye method to identify cancer-fighting lymph nodes in early ovarian cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT07508306 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether a special blue dye called patent blue can help surgeons more precisely identify which lymph nodes need to be checked during ovarian cancer surgery. The dye is injected into tissues near the ovary before surgery, and then the surgeon looks for which lymph nodes turn blue—these are called 'sentinel' lymph nodes, and they're the ones most likely to contain cancer cells. The goal is to see if this method works as well as removing all nearby lymph nodes, but with fewer surgical complications.

Currently, surgeons remove many lymph nodes during early ovarian cancer surgery to make sure they catch any cancer that may have spread. Removing so many lymph nodes can cause side effects like swelling and nerve damage. This trial hopes to prove that the blue dye method can identify only the most important lymph nodes, reducing harm to patients while still catching all the cancer.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years or older
you have been diagnosed with suspected early-stage ovarian cancer (stages I or II) based on MRI imaging
you are scheduled to have surgery that includes lymph node removal in the pelvis and abdomen
you have signed informed consent after being fully informed about the study

You likely don't qualify if…

you have enlarged lymph nodes on imaging that suggest cancer spread
you have evidence of cancer outside the pelvis or carcinomatosis (cancer lining the abdominal cavity)
you have had previous lymph node surgery or major blood vessel surgery on the aorta or iliac vessels
you have had previous pelvic or abdominal radiation therapy
you have a known allergy or bad reaction to patent blue dye

What participation looks like

You will undergo comprehensive ovarian cancer surgery as planned. Before your surgeon removes your ovary, they will inject the blue dye into tissues near your ovary and wait 15 minutes. During surgery, your surgeon will look for lymph nodes that have turned blue (these are the sentinel nodes) and remove them, then remove the remaining nearby lymph nodes as standard procedure. Your surgical team will carefully record which lymph nodes were blue, where they were located, and how many were removed. All removed tissue will be examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Testing a dye method to identify cancer-fighting lymph nodes in early ovarian cancer

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)