Could skipping surgery be safe for some rectal cancer patients?

NCT ID NCT06328361

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Tampere University Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study is testing whether people with rectal cancer who have a complete response to initial therapy can safely avoid surgery and instead be closely monitored. Researchers will track 200 participants to see how often the cancer stays away or comes back. The goal is to preserve the rectum and avoid the side effects of surgery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: nonoperative surveillance (watch-and-wait monitoring with exams and scans)
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could allow many rectal cancer patients to avoid major surgery and its side effects while still keeping the cancer under control.
What could go wrong: This is an early, single-arm study with no comparison group, so results may not apply broadly. There is a risk that the cancer may regrow, requiring delayed surgery.

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.

rectal cancer rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

RECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA RECTAL CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

East Tallinn Central Hospital
RECRUITING

Tallinn, Estonia
Helsinki University Central Hospital
RECRUITING

Helsinki, 00290, Finland
Jyväskylä Central Hospital
RECRUITING

Jyväskylä, Finland
Kuopio University Hospital
RECRUITING

Kuopio, Finland
North Estonia Medical Centre
RECRUITING

Tallinn, Estonia
Oulu University Hospital
RECRUITING

Oulu, Finland
Satakunta Central Hospital
RECRUITING

Pori, Finland
Seinajoki Central Hospital
RECRUITING

Seinäjoki, Finland
Tampere University Hospital
RECRUITING

Tampere, 33400, Finland
Tartu University Hospital
RECRUITING

Tartu, Estonia
Turku University Hospital
RECRUITING

Turku, Finland
Vaasa Central Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Vaasa, 65100, Finland
West Tallinn Central Hospital
RECRUITING

Tallinn, Estonia

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