What is this study trying to find out about fear of cancer recurrence in kidney cancer?

This study is exploring how patients with kidney cancer and their partners experience fear of cancer returning after surgery. Researchers aim to identify the best questions, timing, and ways to ask about this fear during follow-up care. The goal is to improve understanding and support by involving patients and families in the research process.

Who may be eligible for this fear of cancer recurrence clinical trial?

Adults diagnosed with localized renal cell carcinoma who have had surgery, and their partners or spouses, may be eligible. Participants must be able to communicate in Danish and willing to engage in online or in-person meetings or answer questionnaires. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this fear of cancer recurrence clinical trial?

Study-related care, including questionnaires and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel or related expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should plan accordingly for any costs incurred.

Actively Recruiting

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID07234656

Research on Fear of Cancer Returning in Kidney Cancer Patients and Their Partners After Surgery

Led by Brigitta Rasmussen Villumsen · Updated on 2026-04-01

105

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating Fear of Cancer Recurrence FCR in patients with renal cell carcinoma RCC who have undergone surgery, as well as their partners or spouses. The study aims to involve patients and partners in identifying the most relevant FCR topics, timing, and methods for assessing FCR during follow-up care. This observational study seeks to give patients and their families a voice in shaping how psychological concerns are addressed after kidney cancer surgery. The study has two phases. In phase 1, a panel of patients and partners will collaborate with researchers to develop recommendations for FCR questions, modes of administration, and timing for follow-up care assessments. In phase 2, these recommendations will be tested in a pilot feasibility study where patients and partners will answer FCR questions at specific timepoints defined during phase 1. The Fear of Cancer Inventory will serve as a guide for developing the questions. Participants will be involved through online or in-person meetings in phase 1 and will complete questionnaires in phase 2. Researchers will evaluate how well patients and partners are engaged, the feasibility of the recommendations, and the prevalence of FCR among patients and partners over up to 52 weeks. Additional factors like disease stage, age, sex, and comorbidities will also be studied to understand their relationship with FCR. The total study duration allows for follow-up and statistical evaluation of these factors.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Patient-partnered Research in Investigating Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Kidney Cancer

Who Can Participate

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Single patients diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) or patients with RCC in an intimate relationship with a partner/spouse
Partners/spouses of patients who meet the inclusion criteria
Patients who have undergone surgery for localized RCC (T1-T2-T3 tumor)
Time since surgery between 0 and 120 months (phase 1)
Danish speaking patients and partners/spouses able to speak, write, and read Danish
Patients and partners/spouses willing and able to attend online meetings or in person at Gødstrup Hospital (phase 1)
Able to receive digital communication from the hospital (phase 2)
Informed consent must be signed before answering Fear of Cancer Recurrence questions (phase 2)

You will not qualify if you...

Diagnosed with cognitive impairment
Untreated psychiatric disorders due to non-compliance
Patients and partners/spouses who participated as panelists in phase 1 (phase 2 only)

Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person or online)

Phase 1: Patient-partner panel collaboration

Duration - Up to 26 weeks

Participants form a patient-partner panel collaborating with researchers to develop recommendations for investigating Fear of Cancer Recurrence in follow-up care after kidney cancer surgery.

Regular online or in-person meetings throughout the period

Phase 2: Feasibility testing and fear of cancer recurrence investigation

Duration - Up to 52 weeks

Participants complete Fear of Cancer Recurrence assessments using the recommendations developed in Phase 1 to test feasibility and investigate prevalence and factors associated with Fear of Cancer Recurrence.

Periodic assessments during the study period