Endoscopic Ultrasound Versus Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Tissue Sampling for the Diagnosis of Suspected Pancreatico-Biliary Cancer

Sponsor
California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute (Other)
Overall Status
Completed
CT.gov ID
NCT01356030
Collaborator
(none)
51
1
2
12
4.2

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The two most commonly used methods to biopsy suspected pancreaticobiliary masses are (1) endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and (2) cytology brush biopsies obtained during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). At most centers, the specific method used depends on the availability of the technology and local expertise. Although it is believed that EUS-FNA is more accurate than ERCP brushings, there have been no head-to-head comparisons. The investigators' hypothesis is that EUS-FNA is superior to ERCP in obtaining tissue biopsies of pancreaticobiliary tumors, and the investigators aim to directly compare the two techniques.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
  • Procedure: ERCP
  • Procedure: EUS FNA
N/A

Detailed Description

Patients with pancreaticobiliary tumors usually present with painless jaundice due to bile duct obstruction. The standard clinical evaluation may include EUS and/or ERCP. At centers where EUS is available (like CPMC), it is usually used first as it is generally considered a better tool for tumor detection, staging, and performing biopsies (FNA). ERCP is then performed, if needed, to place a stent and relieve jaundice. As EUS is a relatively newer technology that has not widely disseminated, other centers use ERCP as the 1st modality to evaluate suspected malignant pancreaticobiliary obstruction. The role of ERCP in this setting is to not only place a stent to relieve jaundice, but to additionally obtain cytology brushings for tissue diagnosis.

Several studies have reported high sensitivity of EUS-FNA for detecting pancreaticobiliary cancers that are causing bile duct obstruction and jaundice (80-90%). The sensitivity for ERCP brushings and biopsies to detect the same types of tumors is reportedly lower (30-80%), but there have been no direct comparisons of these techniques.

Few centers use both technologies (EUS and ERCP) for patient care, or often perform EUS and ERCP at separate sessions. At CPMC, the investigators routinely perform EUS and ERCP together for patients needing these procedures. Thus the investigators are in a unique position to directly compare EUS-FNA to ERCP brushings for tissue diagnosis of suspected pancreaticobiliary tumors.

The proposed study will be the 1st direct comparison of EUS-FNA to ERCP tissue sampling for patients with suspected pancreaticobiliary cancers. Study results will highlight the best approach to obtain a biopsy diagnosis of pancreatic and biliary tract cancers.

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Actual Enrollment :
51 participants
Allocation:
Non-Randomized
Intervention Model:
Single Group Assignment
Masking:
Single (Care Provider)
Primary Purpose:
Diagnostic
Official Title:
Prospective Comparison of EUS-guided FNA and ERCP Tissue Sampling for the Diagnosis of Suspected Pancreato-biliary Neoplasms
Study Start Date :
May 1, 2011
Actual Primary Completion Date :
May 1, 2012
Actual Study Completion Date :
May 1, 2012

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Active Comparator: EUS-FNA

Procedure: EUS FNA
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a procedure in which a flexible tube with a tiny camera and ultrasound probe at the tip is placed through the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine where bile flows from the bile duct into the intestine). This allows the doctor performing the EUS to get a much closer view of your pancreas and bile duct. If a suspicious mass is seen, a small sample of the mass (biopsy) is taken using fine needle aspiration (FNA). FNA involves the use of a thin hollow needle to extract cells for diagnostic purposes and is considered safer and less invasive than surgical biopsies.

Active Comparator: ERCP Brushing and Biopsy

Procedure: ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is usually clinically indicated to place a stent (a plastic or metal tube) in the bile duct. The ERCP procedure is an endoscopic exam during which a small catheter or wire is placed into the bile duct from the point at which it connects to the small intestine. During such a procedure a stent can then be placed to help drain the bile across the site of blockage, and thereby treat your jaundice.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

  1. Direct comparison of tissue sampling techniques for patients with suspected pancreaticobiliary cancers. [One year]

    Diagnostic yield from EUS-FNA samples will be compared to yield from ERCP tissue sampling methods (brushings and forceps biopsies).

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:
18 Years and Older
Sexes Eligible for Study:
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
No
Inclusion Criteria:
  • Patients age >18 years that are scheduled for EUS and possible ERCP for the evaluation of jaundice from suspected pancreaticobiliary tumors.
Exclusion Criteria:
  • Patients that do not provide consent for EUS and ERCP (for standard clinical reasons)

  • Patients that do not require ERCP based on EUS findings (e.g. no mass seen, mass is not causing jaundice

  • Patients in whom an additional 5 minutes of procedure time may increase the procedural/sedation risks:

  • pregnant patients

  • patients with severe medical co-morbidities (ASA class 4 or 5)

  • Patients with significant bleeding risk precluding endoscopic tissue sampling

  • INR > 1.4 or Prothrombin time > 5 sec more than control

  • Platelet count < 50,000

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Site City State Country Postal Code
1 California Pacific Medical Center San Francisco California United States 94115

Sponsors and Collaborators

  • California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Janak Shah, MD, California Pacific Medical Center

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

Responsible Party:
Janak Shah, MD, Director of Pancreatic and Biliary Endoscopy, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01356030
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • 2011.048
First Posted:
May 19, 2011
Last Update Posted:
Jul 9, 2013
Last Verified:
Jul 1, 2013
Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Study Results

No Results Posted as of Jul 9, 2013