On-site Cytopathology EUS-FNA

Summary

This study is a multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial. Potential participants in this study include patients referred for Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of a solid pancreatic lesion at one of the participating centers. If the patient meets inclusion criteria and signs the informed consent, they will be randomized into one of the two study arms in a 1:1 ratio. Patients will either undergo EUS-FNA with or without an on-site cytopathologist present during EUS-FNA. Patients assigned to the on-site cytopathologist arm will have the cytopathologist dictate the number of fine needle aspiration (FNA) passes performed by the endosonographer. This number will be based on the adequacy of specimen and the ability to provide a preliminary diagnosis. In the other arm, in the absence of an on-site cytopathologist, the endosonographer will perform a predetermined number of 7 passes (standard of care in the absence of an on-site cytopathologist). The technique of performing EUS-FNA (needle type, use of stylet, suction) will be standardized among all endosonographers in order to rule out confounding factors. After EUS-FNA is performed all slides will be sent to the pathology department. The slides will be sent for review regardless of which arm the patient is randomized into, and they will be reviewed by experienced cytopathologists for the purpose of determining the final diagnoses.

Future clinical intervention will be monitored for the purpose of reporting the impact EUS-FNA has on the patient's clinical course and determining diagnostic accuracy. Patients will be followed prospectively for at least one year, and the gold-standard for final diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy will be defined by the presence of malignant cytology or histologic evidence (if the patient undergoes surgery) or with clinical and/or imaging follow-up consistent with pancreatic cancer (death or clinical progression). A detailed account of medical equipment used during each procedure, procedure time, clinic visits/hospitalizations due to procedure related complications, and number of repeat procedures will be recorded systematically.

The investigators hypothesize that an on-site cytopathologist during EUS-FNA for pancreatic masses improves diagnostic yield, accuracy, and lowers the duration, complications and the need for repeat procedures.

Conditions

• Pancreatic Neoplasms
• Pancreatic Cancer

Interventions

PROCEDURE

EUS-guided FNA performed with on-site Cytopathologist

Patients assigned to the on-site cytopathologist arm will have the cytopathologist dictate the number of FNA passes performed by the endosonographer. This number will be based on the adequacy of specimen and the ability to provide a preliminary diagnosis.

PROCEDURE

EUS-guided FNA performed without on-site Cytopathologist

In the absence of an on-site cytopathologist, the endosonographer will perform a predetermined number of 7 passes (standard of care in the absence of an on-site cytopathologist).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kansas City Veteran Affairs Medical Center

  collaborator FED

• University of Colorado, Denver

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sachin Wani, M.D. · Washington University School of Medicine

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-06-30

Primary Completion

2013-06-30

Completion

2017-06-16

Countries

• United States

Study Locations