Frozen section could spare rectal cancer patients from major surgery

This trial is testing whether a quick lab test during surgery can help some people with low rectal cancer avoid a major operation. After radiation therapy, patients with a good response undergo a small local excision. If the frozen section shows no deep cancer, they skip the larger surgery and enter a watch-and-wait program. If cancer is deeper, they get immediate complete removal. The goal is to see if this selective approach keeps cancer under control while reducing complications and preserving quality of life.