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Thyroid Lobectomy for Medullary Thyroid Cancer

This study is looking at a new way to treat medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) that has not spread beyond the thyroid and is not caused by a specific genetic change (sporadic MTC). Currently, all patients with MTC usually have their entire thyroid removed (total thyroidectomy) and lymph nodes removed from both sides of their neck. This can lead to complications and lifelong medication. This study is testing if removing only part of the thyroid (thyroid lobectomy) and lymph nodes from one side of the neck (ipsilateral central neck dissection) can be effective. Researchers want to see how many patients achieve biochemical remission (no signs of cancer in blood tests) and how many might need more surgery later. You may be eligible if you are 18 or older and have a confirmed diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer. The study status is currently unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study involving about 100 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would undergo thyroid lobectomy with unilateral central neck dissection. You would also have blood samples taken and imaging scans (FDG PET/CT or Ga-68 PET/CT) at 3 and 6 months after surgery.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
You will be followed for up to 12 months to see if you need additional surgery, and for up to 3 months to check for biochemical remission.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07612293

STAGE-MTC Trial Thyroid Lobectomy With Ipsilateral Central Neck Dissection

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
~100 participants
Updated 2026-05-28 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Biospecimen CollectionFDG-Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ScanGa-68 PET/CT ScanNeck DissectionSurveillanceThyroid Lobectomy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Proportion of patients who achieve biochemical remission
Measured over Up to 3 months
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Thyroid Gland Medullary Carcinoma

Explore related trials

Thyroid Gland Medullary Carcinoma

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • James Wu, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · UCLA / Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

Who to contact

Elena Hughes
[email protected]
310 206-9145
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Male or female ≥ 18 years of age at time of diagnosis
Documentation of a medullary thyroid cancer diagnosis as evidenced by:
Thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy with cytologist consistent with medullary thyroid cancer
Indeterminate cytology from thyroid fine needle aspiration with elevated serum calcitonin OR thyroid molecular testing consistent with medullary thyroid cancer
Written informed consent obtained from participant or participant's legal representative and ability for participant to comply with the requirements of the study
Appropriate candidate for thyroid lobectomy and/or total thyroidectomy

Exclusion

Indication for total thyroidectomy unrelated to medullary thyroid cancer:
Graves' disease
Symptomatic multinodular goiter
Contralateral symptomatic benign nodules
Ultrasound findings consistent with:
Cervical lymphadenopathy involving lateral neck or contralateral central neck
Suspicious thyroid nodules \> 1 cm that are Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems 2 (TIRADS2) or higher without fine needle aspiration (FNA)
Pure cystic and spongiform nodules do not require FNA
Patients with nodules that meet criteria above can elect to undergo FNA, and may enroll in study if benign cytology is noted
Identification of germline RET mutation on preoperative genetic testing

What this trial measures

  • Proportion of patients who achieve biochemical remissionUp to 3 months

    Will calculate the proportion of patients who achieve biochemical remission at 3 months (normal calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen \[CEA\]). Exact 95% confidence intervals will be provided. Exploratory subgroup analyses (e.g., stratified by baseline calcitonin level, tumor size, or nodal status) may be conducted to generate hypotheses but will not be powered for formal inference.

  • Proportion of patients requiring completion thyroidectomyUp to 12 months

    Completion thyroidectomy will be indicated in the setting of: Elevated or rising calcitonin and/or CEA plus imaging (neck ultrasound or positron emission tomography \[PET\]/computed tomography \[CT\]) suggestive of residual disease in the contralateral thyroid lobe or contralateral cervical lymph nodes; or elevated or rising calcitonin and/or CEA with negative neck ultrasound and PET/CT for an alternate source, consistent with biochemical evidence of residual disease in the remaining thyroid lobe. Exact 95% confidence intervals will be provided. Exploratory subgroup analyses (e.g., stratified by baseline calcitonin level, tumor size, or nodal status) may be conducted to generate hypotheses but will not be powered for formal inference.