Comparison of Chemotherapy Before and After Surgery Versus After Surgery Alone for the Treatment of Gallbladder Cancer
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2023-09-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This phase II/III trial compares the effect of adding chemotherapy before and after surgery
versus after surgery alone (usual treatment) in treating patients with stage II-III
gallbladder cancer. Chemotherapy drugs, such as gemcitabine and cisplatin, work in different
ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from
dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving chemotherapy before surgery may make the
tumor smaller; therefore, may reduce the extent of surgery. Additionally, it may make it
easier for the surgeon to distinguish between normal and cancerous tissue. Giving
chemotherapy after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells. This study will determine
whether giving chemotherapy before surgery increases the length of time before the cancer may
return and whether it will increase a patient's life span compared to the usual approach.