Comparing two radiation methods for advanced head and neck cancer
Tests focused radiation against standard radiation in adults with advanced head and neck cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Palliative Steroeotactic Body Radiotherapy vs Palliative Standard Radiotherapy in Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Key facts
- Where
- Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Québec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, CanadaSee the 10 sites
- Phase
- Phase 3
Where in Canada
- Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer CentreCalgary, CanadaTaking people
- Cross Cancer InstituteEdmonton, CanadaTaking people
- Juravinski Cancer Centre at Hamilton Health SciencesHamilton, CanadaTaking people
- CHUM - Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de MontrealMontreal, CanadaTaking people
- Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawa, CanadaTaking people
- Hotel-Dieu de QuebecQuébec, CanadaTaking people
- Odette Cancer CentreToronto, CanadaTaking people
- University Health NetworkToronto, CanadaTaking people
- BCCA - VancouverVancouver, CanadaTaking people
- CancerCare ManitobaWinnipeg, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Canadian Cancer Trials Group
- Trial code
- NCT06641791
- Record updated
- 14 October 2026
- Original description
This study is being done to answer the following question: Does stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) provide better cancer control compared to standard radiation therapy (RT) for those with advanced head and neck cancer?Read full original descriptionShow less
A Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Palliative Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy vs. Palliative Standard Radiotherapy in Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
This study is being done to answer the following question: Does stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) provide better cancer control compared to standard radiation therapy (RT) for those with advanced head and neck cancer?
Inclusion: Histologically confirmed mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck arising from at least one of the following sites: oro/hypopharynx, oral cavity, supraglottic larynx, maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, or unknown primary; Stages TX or T0-T4/N0-N3; Must be considered unfit for curative intent RT as determined by the treating oncologist(s); Geriatric 8 score <14; Patient must be ≥18 years of age; Staging CT or MRI of the head and neck within 8 weeks prior to randomization; Chest CT or x-ray. PET CT is permitted if CT is of diagnostic quality; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0-3; Participants of childbearing potential must have agreed to use a highly effective contraceptive method during protocol therapy; Patients with a prior malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational treatment are eligible for this trial.
Exclusion: Prior systemic therapy (including immunotherapy); Prior radiotherapy to the head and neck excluding superficial radiotherapy for head and neck skin cancer that does not overlap with current protocol treatment; Prior head and neck cancer excluding skin cancer; Scleroderma/CREST syndrome; Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Patients with tumour locations/at risk of SBRT toxicity, including glottic/subglottic larynx, T4 hypopharynx, post-cricoid, cervical esophagus, circumferential pharyngeal involvement, extension/proximity to brain/optic structures, any single tumour mass >8 cm (in one dimension); > 2 nodal levels (Level 1a/b not counted); retropharyngeal lymph nodes (where the closest edge is < 2cm from the closest edge of CTV (primary or nodal) will not be considered as a different level). Note: a single lymph node mass that spans 2 levels will be considered as 1 level; Gross tumour poorly visualized on CT/MRI; Definitive radiological or clinically evident distant metastases.