Fluorescence targeted pelvic lymph node mapping
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the feasibility of fluorescence targeted pelvic lymph node mapping during rectal cancer surgery
IRAS ID
215541
Contact name
Chris Cunningham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Development Department Joint Research Office
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 28 days
Research summary
Cancer spreads to the lateral pelvic lymph nodes in 10-25% of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer. In the Western world the standard operation for rectal cancer is to remove the rectum with the mesorectum (fatty tissue covering the rectum containing blood vessels, nerves and lymph nodes). Patients who have suspected cancer in the lateral pelvic lymph nodes (LPLNs) (as diagnosed on a CT or MRI scan) are usually offered chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both to treat the nodes in addition to their operation. In other centres, as well as removing the rectum with the mesorectum, they strip all the tissue containing the lateral pelvic lymph nodes on the side walls of the pelvis. The concern here is that there is an increased risk of damage to important nerves controlling bladder, bowel and sexual function, increased blood loss during surgery and longer operating times.
There are however, some groups of patients who may benefit from removing some of these lymph nodes during their operation. Our study is intending to use a fluorescent drug to help visualise the lymph nodes that drain a rectal cancer in patients during the operation. We will assess what sort of tumours drain to the different lymph node groups. In addition to this, if a patient is having a lymph node removed as part of their operation, we will use the fluorescence to assess whether it helps this part of the operation.REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0209
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion