Light-based imaging of removed prostate tissue to find cancer at the edges
Tests hyperspectral imaging on removed prostates to spot cancer at the edges.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: SPECTRA: Intraoperative Hyperspectral Imaging for Prostate Cancer
Key facts
- Where
- Geneva, SwitzerlandSee the site
Where in Switzerland
- Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève - Dept de Chirurgie - Service d'UrologieGeneva, SwitzerlandTaking 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
- Massimo Valerio
- Trial code
- NCT07826858
- Record updated
- 17 September 2026
- Original description
Radical prostatectomy (RP) is currently one of the gold standard of care in managing localized prostate cancer (Pca). However, despite advances in Robot-Assisted RP (RARP), cancer cells may still be found (up to 42%) at the edge of the removed prostate specimen, commonly referred as Positive Surgical Margins (PSM). PSM are well-known risk factors of adverse oncological outcomes (biochemical recurrence).Read full original descriptionShow less
SPECTRA: Intraoperative Hyperspectral Imaging for Prostate Cancer
Radical prostatectomy (RP) is currently one of the gold standard of care in managing localized prostate cancer (Pca). However, despite advances in Robot-Assisted RP (RARP), cancer cells may still be found (up to 42%) at the edge of the removed prostate specimen, commonly referred as Positive Surgical Margins (PSM). PSM are well-known risk factors of adverse oncological outcomes (biochemical recurrence).
It is therefore essential to characterize intraoperatively the tumor extent. In RARP, the leading intraoperative margin assessment (IMA) technique, NeuroSAFE is based on Intra-operative frozen section (IFS) of both prostate lateral sides sampled at 3-5 mm intervals. However, despite proven oncological benefit, adoption is still limited to expert centers due to a prolonged operative time, loss of integrity of the surgical specimen for definitive histopathological analysis, omission of regions (apex, base), and logistical complexity (trained uropathologist, cryostat…).
With this prospective single-center project, we wish to explore the use of non-invasive optical imaging technology, HyperSpectral Imaging (HSI), as a reliable alternative for examination of the ex-vivo prostate specimen to
1. Distinguish normal versus tumor tissue at the surgical margin in fresh specimen. 2. Quantify whether HSI can be integrated into the intraoperative workflow (feasibility), thus, image acquisition time and inference time should then be evaluated.
Inclusion: Histological diagnosis (biopsy) of Pca; Prostate volume < 100 cm3 (measured on preoperative MRI) for a smooth acquisition with the hyperspectral device; Capable of forming his own views.
Exclusion: Inability to follow study procedures, for example due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc; Unwilling to participate.