Clinical Trial: Role of Endoscopic RFA in Prolonging the Patency of Metal Stents in Patients With Malignant Obstructive Jaundice

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: A Double Blind, Randomized Controlled Prospective Trial of Endo-biliary Radio-frequency Ablation for Maintenance of Metal Stent Patency in Patients With Malignant Obstructive Jau

Brief Summary: Patients with malignant obstructive jaundice (cancer of head of pancreas and cholangiocarcinoma) generally have a very poor prognosis with less than 20% patients having resectable disease at presentation. These patients also have a very poor quality of life with a life expectancy of 6-8 months. Jaundice associated with pruritus, poor appetite, malabsorption and loss of weight and cholangitis is the most common and troublesome problem. Placement of metallic stents has been the standard of care for patients with unresectable disease. However, about 50% of these stents get blocked in 6-8 months. Use of endoscopic Radio-frequency Ablation (RFA) prior to placement of metal stents may increase the patency of these stents

Detailed Summary:

We assume that application of endobiliary RFA to the malignant stricture which results in considerable charring of the tumor would result in prolongation of Self-expandable metal Stent (SEMS) patency by decreasing tumor in-growth and overgrowth. It is further speculated that prolonged stent patency will improve the quality of life of these patients, prevent cholangitis and optimize chemotherapy. A further outcome may be an improvement in the survival.

The research questions which we intend to answer through this trial would be:

  1. Does application of prior endo-biliary radiofrequency affect patency of SEMS?
  2. What are the complications associated with the use of endo-biliary RFA?
  3. Does endo-biliary RFA with immediate placement of SEMS improve patient survival?
  4. Is there any improvement in the quality of life of the patient with the combined use of endo-biliary RFA and SEMS?

Study protocol:

The study design is a double blind, sham operated, randomized controlled trial.

Inclusion criteria:

  1. Patients: Clinical data and investigations suggestive of unresectable malignant bile duct obstruction. All patients will be discussed at the hepato-biliary multidisciplinary meeting which should come to a unanimous decision on tumor unresectability.
  2. Age more than 18 years
  3. Histologically/ Cytologically confirmed malignancy
  4. Informed consent: The patient should voluntarily agre
    Sponsor: Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, India

    Current Primary Outcome: Time to stent occlusion [ Time Frame: 12 months ]

    Defined by a. Cholangitis b. or serum bilirubin > 3mg/dL with a previously normal bilirubin or above the baseline.

    c. Any clinical jaundice should be confirmed as being caused by stent occlusion by imaging or ERC



    Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

    Current Secondary Outcome: Death [ Time Frame: 12 months ]

    Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

    Information By: Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, India

    Dates:
    Date Received: January 11, 2011
    Date Started: January 2011
    Date Completion: September 2011
    Last Updated: January 13, 2011
    Last Verified: January 2011