New hope for recurrent rectal cancer: adding radiation before surgery may boost cure rates

NCT ID NCT03879109

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University Hospital, Bordeaux Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This phase 3 trial studies whether adding pelvic reirradiation to chemotherapy before surgery can help more patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer achieve complete tumor removal. The study enrolls 58 adults who have had prior pelvic radiation and now face a recurrence. Participants receive either chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy followed by targeted reirradiation, then surgery. The main goal is to see which approach leads to more curative resections.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX) and pelvic reirradiation with capecitabine
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could increase the chance of complete surgical removal of recurrent rectal cancer, potentially improving survival.
What could go wrong: This is a small phase 3 trial with only 58 participants, and reirradiation carries risks of side effects in previously treated pelvic areas. Results may not apply to all patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for RECTAL CANCER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

rectal cancer rectal neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

RECTAL CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

CHRU Nancy

Nancy, France
CHU Bordeaux

Bordeaux, France
CHU Grenoble

Grenoble, France
CHU Rennes

Rennes, France
CHU Rouen

Rouen, France
CHU Toulouse

Toulouse, France
Centre Oscar Lambret

Lille, France
Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint-Joseph

Paris, France
Hospices Civils de Lyon, HCL

Lyon, France
Institut Paoli Calmette

Marseille, France
Institut Sainte Catherine

Avignon, France
Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest

Saint-Herblain, France
Institut du Cancer de Montpellier

Montpellier, France

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.