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Taking people in CanadaPhase 3

Tests radioactive yttrium colloid for cystic tumors near the pituitary gland

Tests radioactive yttrium colloid placed in cysts near the pituitary in adults.

Key facts

Who runs it
David Clarke
Where
Halifax, CanadaSee the site
Trial code
Registry title
90Yttrium Colloid for the Treatment of Cystic Sellar/Parasellar Tumors
Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 3
People taking part
40 people, planned
Started
Jun 2014
Expected to end
31 Oct 2031
Type of study
Interventional
Treatments tested
  • 90yttrium colloid
Record updated
20 February 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with a fluid-filled (cystic) tumour in or near the pituitary gland who need surgery. It tests a one-time radioactive treatment (90yttrium colloid) placed inside the cyst.

Age
17 years or older
Sex
Both men and women can join
Disease stage
Cystic mass in the sellar, suprasellar, parasellar or intrasellar area, found by tissue test, cell test or brain scan. The size or volume of the tumour can be measured.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • The neurosurgeon finds surgery too risky
  • Having a solid tumour
  • Pregnant or breast feeding at the time of surgical consent or surgery
  • Allergy, hypersensitivity or other reason not to use 90yttrium colloid

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 15 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Patients who meet all of the following criteria are eligible for enrollment as study participants:
  • Patients 17 years of age or older
  • Cystic sellar, suprasellar, parasellar or intrasellar masses diagnosed by histology, cytology or neuroimaging
  • Tumour measurements and/or tumour volume can be calculated
  • Patients who require surgical intervention as determined by the treating neurosurgeon
  • Being a patient managed in the Halifax Neuropituitary Program surgical clinic
  • Willingness to undergo surgery and give informed surgical consent
  • Willingness to provide informed consent for study participation

Who cannot take part

  • Neurosurgeon's assessment that surgical procedures hold unacceptable operative risk
  • Pregnant or breast feeding at time of surgical consent and/or surgery
  • Hypersensitivity, allergies or contraindication to the used radiopharmaceutical agent (90yttrium colloid)
  • Patients who meet any of these criteria are not eligible for enrollment as study participants:
  • Having a solid tumour

Other criteria

  • Criteria
  • Ages Eligible for Study: 17 years of age or older Genders Eligible for Study: Both Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Where in Canada

  • Halifax InfirmaryHalifax, CanadaContact: David B. Clarke, MDCM, PhD, FRCSC, DABNS, FACSTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

There is no consensus in the literature on the best way to treat cystic lesions of the pituitary area. Patients who are symptomatic from these tumours are rare. The cystic form of tumours present special challenges since traditional treatment modalities (surgery and/or external radiation) are often not able to completely remove or treat the cyst wall without major morbidity or even mortality.

Read full original descriptionShow less

There is no 'best practice' for the treatment of cystic tumours per se. Treatments available to patients with cystic sellar/parasellar tumours include conservative management using a 'wait and scan' approach, cyst drainage, and cyst removal via transsphenoidal and/or craniotomy approach (i.e. open surgery). Over the last 10 years we have treated approximately 8 patients with intracystic radiotherapy. All of these patients continue to be monitored clinically and radiologically and all have done well with stable regression of the cysts and no new neurological deficits. Over the past 2 years, 90yttrium colloid has been provided to CDHA through Health Canada's Special Access Program (SAP). It has only been of recent that Health Canada has requested a clinical trial to assess the benefit of intracystic radiotherapy over other available treatment options.

The experimental treatment being proposed is the stereotactic intracavitary instillation of 90yttrium colloid for treatment of cystic lesions of the pituitary (sellar) and surrounding areas (parasellar).

The group in the trial

  • 90yttrium colloidTreatment being tested

    90 Yttrium colloid will be inserted into the cystic cavity. Based on clinical expertise, the treating neurosurgeon will determine the appropriate surgical procedure for each patient on an individual basis which will be reflected in the surgical consent the patient is presented and signs.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Assessment of the Efficacy of Stereotactic Intracavitary Instillation of 90yttrium Colloid for Treatment of Cystic Lesions of the Pituitary and Surrounding Areas (Sellar/Parasellar Region)
Plain-language title
Tests radioactive yttrium colloid for cystic tumors near the pituitary glandGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Record updated
20 February 2026