An interventional study of Lymphadenectomy in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC), sponsored by Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital. Recruiting at 1 site in Spain. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-19.
Sponsored by Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study is about a type of skin cancer called high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HRcSCC). Although most people with this type of skin cancer are successfully treated, some patients have a higher chance that the cancer will spread to nearby lymph nodes. When this happens, treatment becomes more difficult and the chances of recovery are lower.
The aim of this study is to find out whether looking for cancer spread at a very early stage can improve patients' health and survival.
The study focuses on the sentinel lymph node, which is the first lymph node that fluid from the skin tumour reaches. If cancer cells begin to spread, this is usually the first place where they are found. By examining this lymph node, doctors may be able to detect cancer spread before it can be seen on scans or felt during a physical examination.
A total of 142 participants with high-risk skin cancer who have no signs of cancer spread at the time of diagnosis will take part in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to one of two groups:
Sentinel lymph node biopsy group: Participants will have the usual surgery to remove the skin cancer, together with a small operation to remove the sentinel lymph node. If cancer cells are found in this lymph node, doctors may recommend further treatment, such as surgery to remove additional nearby lymph nodes.
Standard care group: Participants will receive the current standard treatment, which includes surgery to remove skin cancer followed by regular follow-up visits. Further treatment will only be given if there are later signs that the cancer has spread.
Both groups will receive the same regular follow-up care for five years, including medical examinations and imaging tests to check for any signs that the cancer has returned or spread.
Researchers will compare the two groups to determine whether examining the sentinel lymph node helps doctors detect cancer spread earlier, reduces the chance of the cancer returning, and improves long-term survival. The study will also help identify which patients are most likely to benefit from this approach.
Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital is the lead sponsor of 89 studies on the registry; 12 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Patients with HRcSCC according to the criteria established in the following table.
Diagnosis of HRcSCC will be made if it complies:
Major clinical criteria: Major histological criteria:
Oculocutaneous albinism
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A weakened immune system. It can come from an illness, such as HIV or some blood cancers, or from medicines that turn the immune system down, for example after an organ transplant or for an autoimmune disease; steroids at higher doses count.
Read whether the line is about a condition or about medicines, and which medicines and doses it means.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Immunosuppression
A weakened immune system. It can come from an illness, such as HIV or some blood cancers, or from medicines that turn the immune system down, for example after an organ transplant or for an autoimmune disease; steroids at higher doses count.
Read whether the line is about a condition or about medicines, and which medicines and doses it means.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Metastases
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Lymphadenectomy will be practiced when the selective biopsy of sentinel node (SBSN) is positive (SBSN +). In patients with T3 or higher N0 and lip carcinoma (since the current protocol indicates performing cervical lymphadenectomy), SBSG will be performed and at the same time of surgery, elective cervical lymphadenectomy.
Procedure: Lymphadenectomy
Patients with high risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who do not perform SBSG and do not present N1 at the time of diagnosis.
1. Lymphogampigraphy. A planar lymphogampigraphy will be performed, and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) study if necessary, to study the location of the lymph node or sentinel node. Approximate cutaneous marking with a permanent marker will be performed to facilitate the intraoperative location of the node. 2. Surgical intervention will begin with tumor exeresis to prevent interference that hinders the posterior location of the sentinel node. The sentinel node will then be detected with the help of a portable gammagraphic probe. The surgeon will practice a small cutaneous incision through which we will introduce the probe, performing a tracing from more superficial planes to deeper planes. Once located, the sentinel node will be biopsied and is counted on ex vivo radioactivity. In those patients where it is indicated to perform elective cervical lymphadenectomy.
Overall survival
Time (days) elapsed between diagnosis and death of the patient attributable to the disease before the end of the follow-up period.
Time frame: Up to 5 years since intervention
Disease-free time
Disease free time: Time (days) elapsed between the end of treatment and the appearance of disease in the form of local, regional and/or remote recurrence.
Time frame: Up to 5 years since intervention
Regional metastases
Clinical and/or radiological presence of adenopathies in the territory of tumor drainage including metastases in transit since intervention to 5 years later
Time frame: Up to 5 years since intervention
Remote metastases
clinical and/or radiological presence of metastases outside the lymphatic drainage territory
Time frame: Up to 5 years since intervention
Local recurrence
reappearance of the lesion in the same location once treated
Time frame: Up to 5 years since intervention
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
No contact was published for this record. The registry link below has the sponsor’s details.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital