Surgery vs chemo before surgery for low-risk rectal cancer
Part of Cancer, Digestive system clinical trials.
This trial compares two approaches for low-risk locally advanced rectal cancer: going straight to surgery (TME) versus receiving chemotherapy before surgery. The goal is to see if upfront surgery works just as well, sparing patients from chemotherapy side effects.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You are between 18 and 75 years old and have been newly diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma (a common type of rectal cancer).
- Your tumor is low-risk locally advanced—meaning on MRI it has grown into the rectal wall but hasn't spread far (T1–3b) and may involve nearby lymph nodes, but not the anal sphincter or surrounding tissues.
- Your MRI shows the cancer has not reached the mesorectal fascia (the tissue envelope around the rectum) and there is no cancer in small blood vessels outside the rectum.
- You are healthy enough for both surgery and chemotherapy (good heart, lung, liver, and kidney function).
- Your surgeon believes the sphincter (muscle that controls bowel movements) can be saved during surgery.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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