Frozen section could spare rectal cancer patients from major surgery

NCT ID NCT07337811

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

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.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Selective total mesorectal excision based on intra-operative frozen section

What this could lead to

If successful, this approach could allow many patients with low rectal cancer to avoid major surgery and a permanent colostomy, preserving bowel function and quality of life.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with only 27 participants, so results may not apply broadly. There is a risk that the frozen-section analysis may miss cancer cells, leading to undertreatment or recurrence.

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 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

  • Dept. of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Yuexiu District, Dongfeng East Road 651

    RECRUITING

    Guangzhou, Guanggong, 510060, China

    Contact

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