Cordotomy for Cancer Pain Management
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial studies how well cordotomy works in reducing severe pain in patients with advanced cancer. Cordotomy involves using a needle to make a small cut in the spinal cord, which helps block pain signals from reaching the brain. The goal is to see if this method can effectively reduce pain when other treatments don't work. Cordotomy has been used since 1912 and has evolved from a more invasive open surgical procedure to a less invasive percutaneous radiofrequency procedure.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
Is percutaneous cervical cordotomy safe for managing cancer pain?
Percutaneous cervical cordotomy (PCC) has been studied in patients with cancer pain, and while it is a recognized procedure, there is limited data on its safety. Some studies have evaluated its use in terminally ill cancer patients, but more research is needed to fully understand its safety profile.12345
How is the treatment Cordotomy different from other treatments for cancer pain management?
Cordotomy is a unique treatment for cancer pain because it involves a procedure that targets and interrupts pain pathways in the spinal cord, specifically for patients whose pain does not respond to other therapies. Unlike medications, it is a surgical intervention that provides relief for unilateral (one-sided) intractable pain.12346
What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for cancer pain management?
Who Is on the Research Team?
Eduardo Bruera
Principal Investigator
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for advanced cancer patients with pain intensity of 4 or higher on a scale of 0-10, specifically below the shoulder level. Participants must have had three palliative care evaluations and be able to consent. Those who can't complete forms, have less than a month to live, issues with blood clotting, sedation risks, brain tumors or morphine allergies cannot join.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Patients undergo a cordotomy or receive morphine and a fake cordotomy over 1-2 hours
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Cordotomy
Cordotomy is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada for the following indications:
- Unilateral cancer pain
- Mesothelioma-related pain
- Lung cancer pain
- Breast cancer pain
- Brachial plexus pain
- Advanced cancer pain
- Unilateral cancer pain
- Refractory cancer pain
- Cancer pain management
- Unilateral cancer pain
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Collaborator