Can a simple enema prevent radiation damage during rectal cancer treatment?
NCT ID NCT07548736
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether a daily dexamethasone enema can prevent or reduce acute rectal injury in 40 rectal cancer patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy. One group starts the enema early (day 10 of radiation), while the other starts only after injury occurs. The goal is to see if early use lowers injury rates and helps patients complete their full radiation course.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- dexamethasone enema
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to prevent or reduce rectal injury during pelvic radiotherapy, helping patients complete their cancer treatment with fewer side effects.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The treatment is given as an enema, which may be uncomfortable, and dexamethasone can have side effects like irritation or infection.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510655, China
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