Comparison of Two-Position and Four-Position Cervical Injection Techniques for Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Endometrial Cancer Using Methylene Blue

NCT ID: NCT07040657

Last Updated: 2025-06-27

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-05-01

Study Completion Date

2026-11-01

Brief Summary

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This clinical trial evaluates lymph node mapping in newly diagnosed endometrial cancer patients undergoing surgery. The standard technique uses a 2-point methylene blue cervical injection. The study aims to determine if increasing injection points improves mapping success.

Detailed Description

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In recent years, Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) mapping has become a key focus in improving surgical outcomes for endometrial cancer. While methylene blue is a cost-effective option for SLN mapping, its detection rates remain suboptimal. This study aims to evaluate whether increasing the injection points from the standard 2-point to a 4-point methylene blue injection improves SLN mapping success.

This randomized controlled trial will include patients with preoperative stage I endometrial carcinoma. Participants will be randomized into two groups: one group will receive a 2-point methylene blue cervical injection, and the other group will receive a 4-point injection.

The primary endpoint is the difference in SLN detection rates between the two techniques. Findings from this study will provide detailed insights into whether the 4-point injection offers a significant advantage over the standard 2-point method.

Conditions

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Endometrial Neoplasms Endometrial Cancer Stage I Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Primary Study Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Caregivers
To minimize bias and ensure the reliability of study results, both participants and care providers will be blinded to group allocation. The surgeon administering the injection and the pathologist evaluating lymph node samples will not be informed whether the participant received the two-point or four-point cervical injection. This double-masking approach enhances the objectivity of care delivery and outcome assessment, thereby strengthening the validity of the findings.

Study Groups

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2- Point Methylene Blue Injection

In the 2-point injection arm, participants will receive the standard sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping technique using methylene blue. The procedure involves injecting methylene blue dye into two specific locations on the cervix:

At the 3 o'clock position At the 9 o'clock position

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Sentinel Lymph Node Detection/Cervical Methylene Blue Injection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) detection using cervical methylene blue injection is a surgical technique designed to identify the primary lymph nodes responsible for draining the uterus in patients with endometrial cancer. The procedure involves injecting methylene blue dye into specific locations within the cervical stroma to enable lymphatic uptake. The dye subsequently travels through the lymphatic channels, allowing for intraoperative visual identification of the sentinel nodes. This targeted approach facilitates selective SLN excision for pathological evaluation, providing critical information about lymphatic involvement while minimizing the extent of surgical dissection. The effectiveness of SLN mapping is contingent upon the accuracy of the injection technique and the anatomical distribution of lymphatic drainage.

4- Point Methylene Blue Injection

In the 4-point injection arm, participants will receive the standard sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping technique using methylene blue. The procedure involves injecting methylene blue dye into two specific locations on the cervix:

At the 2 o'clock position At the 4 o'clock position At the 8 o'clock position At the 10 o'clock position

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Sentinel Lymph Node Detection/Cervical Methylene Blue Injection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) detection using cervical methylene blue injection is a surgical technique designed to identify the primary lymph nodes responsible for draining the uterus in patients with endometrial cancer. The procedure involves injecting methylene blue dye into specific locations within the cervical stroma to enable lymphatic uptake. The dye subsequently travels through the lymphatic channels, allowing for intraoperative visual identification of the sentinel nodes. This targeted approach facilitates selective SLN excision for pathological evaluation, providing critical information about lymphatic involvement while minimizing the extent of surgical dissection. The effectiveness of SLN mapping is contingent upon the accuracy of the injection technique and the anatomical distribution of lymphatic drainage.

Interventions

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Sentinel Lymph Node Detection/Cervical Methylene Blue Injection

Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) detection using cervical methylene blue injection is a surgical technique designed to identify the primary lymph nodes responsible for draining the uterus in patients with endometrial cancer. The procedure involves injecting methylene blue dye into specific locations within the cervical stroma to enable lymphatic uptake. The dye subsequently travels through the lymphatic channels, allowing for intraoperative visual identification of the sentinel nodes. This targeted approach facilitates selective SLN excision for pathological evaluation, providing critical information about lymphatic involvement while minimizing the extent of surgical dissection. The effectiveness of SLN mapping is contingent upon the accuracy of the injection technique and the anatomical distribution of lymphatic drainage.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Individuals diagnosed with stage I endometrial cancer based on CT and PET-CT imaging.
* Individuals with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of stage I endometrial cancer.

Exclusion Criteria

Medical Conditions

* Individuals diagnosed with dementia.
* Individuals with allergies to methylene blue or iodine.
* Individuals who have received active treatment for another malignancy within the past five years.
* Inability to successfully perform PLD (pelvic lymphadenectomy) or history of prior PLD.
* Women with multiple and confluent lymph nodes identified as positive on FDG-PET/CT (such cases are not considered stage I).

Cancer-Related Conditions

* Individuals with clinically or radiologically identified positive lymph nodes or metastatic disease.
* Individuals with a history of pelvic dissection and/or radiation therapy.
* Individuals with advanced cervical or uterine cancer.
* Individuals with T3/T4 lesions.
* Individuals with cervical tumors larger than 2 cm.

Organ Dysfunction

• Individuals with hepatic dysfunction and a MELD score ≥ 10 and creatinine ≥ 2·0 mg/dl patients.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Dokuz Eylul University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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İbrahim Yalçın

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Ankara University

Ankara, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status RECRUITING

Dokuz Eylul University

Izmir, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

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Ibrahim Yalcin, MD

Role: CONTACT

+90 505 265 60 24

Ali Hakan Kula, MD

Role: CONTACT

+905358230685

Facility Contacts

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Salih Taskin, MD

Role: primary

+905064383629

Ibrahim Yalcin, M.D.

Role: primary

+90505265624

References

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Holloway RW, Abu-Rustum NR, Backes FJ, Boggess JF, Gotlieb WH, Jeffrey Lowery W, Rossi EC, Tanner EJ, Wolsky RJ. Sentinel lymph node mapping and staging in endometrial cancer: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology literature review with consensus recommendations. Gynecol Oncol. 2017 Aug;146(2):405-415. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2017.05.027. Epub 2017 May 28.

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Salman L, Cusimano MC, Marchocki Z, Ferguson SE. Sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer: Current evidence and practice. J Surg Oncol. 2024 Jan;129(1):117-119. doi: 10.1002/jso.27550. Epub 2023 Dec 7.

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Altin D, Taskin S, Ortac F, Tokgozoglu N, Vatansever D, Guler AH, Gungor M, Tasci T, Bese T, Turan H, Kahramanoglu I, Yalcin I, Celik C, Demirkiran F, Kose F, Arvas M, Ayhan A, Taskiran C. Diagnostic accuracy of sentinel node biopsy in non-endometrioid, high-grade and/or deep myoinvasive endometrial cancer: A Turkish gynecologic oncology group study (TRSGO-SLN-006). Gynecol Oncol. 2022 Mar;164(3):492-497. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2022.01.009. Epub 2022 Jan 13.

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Other Identifiers

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693-SBKAEK

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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