Active clinical trials for "Bile Duct Neoplasms"

This phase II trial studies how well selumetinib and Akt inhibitor MK-2206 work in treating patients with refractory or advanced gallbladder or bile duct cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. Selumetinib and Akt inhibitor MK-2206 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine whether the combination of the established chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) and the large carbohydrate molecule GM-CT-01 is beneficial in treating advanced gall bladder and bile duct cancer.

RATIONALE: Stent placement may help reduce symptoms caused by the tumor. Photodynamic therapy uses a drug, such as porfimer sodium, that becomes active when it is exposed to a certain kind of light. When the drug is active, tumor cells are killed. This may be an effective treatment for cholangiocarcinoma. It is not yet known whether stent placement and photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium are more effective than stent placement alone in treating cholangiocarcinoma. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying stent placement and photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium to see how well they work compared to stent placement alone as palliative treatment in treating patients with stage III or stage IV cholangiocarcinoma that cannot be removed by surgery.

Clinical trials can sometimes favor certain demographic groups. Additionally, there is limited research that delves into the factors that influence participation in clinical trials, both positive and negative. The goal is to identify the obstacles and challenges that prevent participation in bile duct cancer clinical trials, as well as the reasons for withdrawal or discontinuation. The insights gained from this study will ultimately benefit those with bile duct cancer who may be invited to participate in medical research in the years to come.

The study intervention consists of the early integration of palliative care services into standard oncology care in an outpatient setting for patients with advanced lung and non-colorectal gastrointestinal malignancies who are not being treated with curative intent. The palliative care services provided to patients randomized to the intervention will be provided by board-certified physicians and/or advanced practice nurses and will focus on the following areas: (1) developing and maintaining the therapeutic relationship with the patients and family caregivers; (2) assessing and treating patient symptoms; (3) providing support and reinforcement of coping with advanced cancer in patients and family caregivers; (4) assessing and enhancing prognostic awareness and illness understanding in patients and family caregivers; (5) assisting with treatment decision-making; and (6) end-of-life care planning.

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of a collaborative care intervention to manage cancer-related symptoms and improve health related quality of life in patients diagnosed with hepatobiliary carcinoma.

This pilot clinical trial is studying how well aprepitant works in preventing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer. Antiemetic drugs, such as aprepitant may help lessen or prevent nausea and vomiting in patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as capecitabine and gemcitabine, use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Palliative chemotherapy may improve the quality of life in patients who have locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer and may help them live more comfortably. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of adjuvant capecitabine and gemcitabine in improving quality of life in patients who have locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer.

RATIONALE: Palliative therapy with octreotide may help patients who have bowel obstruction that cannot be removed by surgery to live longer and more comfortably. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of octreotide as palliative therapy in treating patients who have cancer-related bowel obstruction that cannot be removed by surgery.

RATIONALE: The use of endoscopy to place metal stents in the duodenum is less invasive than surgery for treating cancer-related duodenal obstruction and may have fewer side effects and improve recovery. PURPOSE: Phase I/II trial to study the effectiveness of endoscopic placement of metal stents in treating patients who have cancer-related obstruction of the duodenum.