Can a High-Fat diet help pelvic cancer patients during radiation?

NCT ID NCT05938322

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether people with rectal cancer can stick to a ketogenic diet (very low carbs, high fat) during chemoradiation. About 194 participants will be randomly assigned to either the ketogenic diet or a standard Mediterranean diet for 5 weeks. The main goal is to see how well they follow the diet, and researchers will also check changes in body fat and muscle mass.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

ketogenic diet

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that a ketogenic diet is a practical option for patients undergoing pelvic cancer radiotherapy, potentially improving nutritional status and body composition.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study focused on diet adherence, not on cancer outcomes. Results may not apply to all patients, and the strict diet may be hard to follow for some.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

rectal cancer rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS

    RECRUITING

    Rome, Italy