RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

REVOLUTION Surgery (REVOLUTION Surgery)

This study, called REVOLUTION Surgery, wants to understand why some people with cancers like oesophageal, stomach, pancreatic, or bowel cancer lose a lot of weight and muscle, a condition known as cachexia. This can make them feel very tired and affect their quality of life. Even though it was once thought to only happen late in cancer, we now know it can affect people having surgery for cancer at earlier stages. The researchers will collect detailed health information from people having surgery for these cancers and from a small group of people having surgery for other, non-cancer conditions. This will help them get a complete picture of how cachexia affects patients and how their bodies respond to cancer and its treatments over time.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

200

Start

01 Oct 2023

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

Cachexia Oesophageal Cancer Gastric Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Colorectal Cancer

What is this study about?

When someone has cancer, sometimes their body starts to lose muscle and weight, even if they're eating enough. This problem is called cachexia, and it can make people feel very tired and weak. This not only affects their daily life but can also make treatments harder and reduce their recovery. While it was once thought that cachexia only happened when cancer was very advanced, we now know that it can begin much earlier and even affect people who are having surgery to try and cure their cancer.

Traditionally, doctors have looked at different aspects of cachexia separately, or only at one point in time. This study aims to get a much clearer, more complete picture. They want to understand how the cancer affects the body, how active people are, their general well-being, and what's happening with their body's make-up, like muscle and fat. This information will be collected from people having surgery for cancer and also from a small group of people having surgery for other harmless conditions, so they can compare the results and learn more.

By gathering all this detailed information from a range of patients throughout their treatment journey, including before and after surgery, the researchers hope to better understand cachexia. This improved understanding could lead to better ways to help people with cancer manage their weight and muscle loss, improving their quality of life and possibly even their treatment outcomes in the future.

Key takeaways

Aims to understand why cancer patients lose muscle and weight (cachexia).
Compares cancer patients with non-cancer patients having surgery.
No new medications are given; it's an observational study.
Involves questionnaires, physical tests, blood samples, and body scans.
Participation for cancer patients lasts about one year after surgery.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you are 18 years or older and are planning to have surgery for certain types of cancer, specifically cancer of the oesophagus (gullet), stomach, pancreas, colon (large bowel), or rectum. You also need to be able to understand the study and agree to take part in writing.

They are also looking for a small number of people who do not have cancer but are having a different type of abdominal surgery for a non-cancerous condition. These people will help the researchers compare results with the cancer patients.

You would not be able to join if you have other medical problems that could make it riskier for you to take part, or if you already have another condition that causes inflammation or muscle wasting, like rheumatoid arthritis. Also, if you are pregnant, suffer from claustrophobia, or have certain medical implants (like a pacemaker or metal in your body), you might not be able to have some of the special scans, which would mean you couldn't join this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years or older?
Are you having surgery for oesophageal, stomach, pancreatic, colon, or rectal cancer?
Or are you having keyhole abdominal surgery for a non-cancerous condition?
Can you understand the study information and give written permission to take part?
Do you have any other ongoing inflammatory or muscle-wasting conditions?
Are you pregnant, claustrophobic, or have medical implants like a pacemaker?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will have your height and weight measured. You'll also fill out questionnaires about how you're feeling and your quality of life. Your physical activity will be assessed, and you'll have blood samples taken to look at signs of inflammation. Researchers will also measure your body composition, which means how much muscle and fat you have.

Some participants will also have an extra MRI scan of their tummy and thighs. During your operation, small samples of your muscle, fat, and if you have cancer, your tumour, will be taken. Urine samples will also be collected. If you are a cancer patient, you will be asked to come back for three follow-up appointments during the year after your surgery, where these measurements and assessments will be repeated. The total duration of participation for cancer patients will be about one year.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may not directly benefit you, but the information collected could help improve care for future cancer patients. The risks are generally low, mainly involving the usual discomfort of blood tests and the time commitment for appointments and questionnaires. There's a small risk associated with MRI scans, especially if claustrophobia or certain implants are present, which is why those individuals are excluded. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Edinburgh
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is cachexia?

Cachexia is when people lose a lot of muscle and weight, often due to an illness like cancer, making them feel very tired and weak.

What cancers does this study focus on?

This study is particularly looking at people with oesophageal, stomach, pancreatic, colon, or rectal cancer who are having surgery.

Will I have to take any new medicines?

No, this study does not involve giving you any new medicines. It's about collecting information and samples.

How long will I be involved in the study?

If you are a cancer patient, you will be involved for about one year after your surgery, with follow-up appointments during that time.

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body, without using X-rays.

How to find out more

Richard JE Skipworth, MD FRCS

Richard.Skipworth@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk 01312423176 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.