Could skipping surgery be safe for some rectal cancer patients?

NCT ID NCT06328361

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.

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

  • East Tallinn Central Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Tallinn, Estonia

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Helsinki University Central Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Helsinki, 00290, Finland

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Jyväskylä Central Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Jyväskylä, Finland

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Kuopio University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Kuopio, Finland

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • North Estonia Medical Centre

    RECRUITING

    Tallinn, Estonia

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Oulu University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Oulu, Finland

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Satakunta Central Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Pori, Finland

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Seinajoki Central Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Seinäjoki, Finland

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Tampere University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Tampere, 33400, Finland

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

  • Tartu University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Tartu, Estonia

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Turku University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Turku, Finland

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Vaasa Central Hospital

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Vaasa, 65100, Finland

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

    Contact

  • West Tallinn Central Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Tallinn, Estonia

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••