Rectal cancer patients may skip surgery with chemo and watchful waiting
NCT ID NCT03594630
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial is testing whether people with stage II-III rectal cancer can safely avoid surgery by first receiving chemotherapy and then being closely monitored. The goal is to see if the rectum can be preserved without harming survival. Around 120 participants will be followed to measure how many remain surgery-free after one year.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- chemotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could allow many patients with rectal cancer to avoid major surgery and keep their rectum.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early pilot study with only 120 participants. It is not yet known if deferring surgery is safe, and there is a risk of tumor regrowth.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can diet and vitamin c supercharge rectal cancer treatment?
- AI as a surgical Co-Pilot: predicting difficulty in rectal cancer
- A new radiation combo may spare the rectum in early cancer
- Can a triple-drug cocktail after short radiation eliminate rectal cancer without surgery?
- Metabolic MRI may reveal hidden cancer responses and spare patients from surgery
- Can a beetroot drink spot dangerous surgical leaks before they turn deadly?