Can early rectal cancer be treated without removing the rectum?

NCT ID NCT02945566

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: University of Birmingham Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 29, 2026 · Last updated Jun 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial investigates whether less invasive treatments can save the rectum in people with early-stage rectal cancer. Participants receive either standard surgery (removing part of the rectum) or one of two organ-sparing approaches: short-course radiotherapy or chemoradiation (chemotherapy plus radiation), followed by close monitoring or a small local surgery. The goal is to see if these gentler options can control the cancer while avoiding a permanent stoma and reducing side effects.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: capecitabine (chemotherapy) and radiotherapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a way to treat early rectal cancer without removing the rectum, avoiding a permanent or temporary stoma and improving quality of life.
What could go wrong: This is an early-to-mid-stage trial, so the organ-sparing approach may not control the cancer as well as standard surgery, and some patients may still need a stoma or further treatment.

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 ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE RECTUM are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE RECTUM

Contacts and locations

Locations

Odense University Hospital

Odense, Denmark
Radboud University medical center

Nijmegen, Netherlands
Region Stockholm, Onkologkliniken Södersjukhuset AB

Stockholm, Sweden
University Hospital UZ Leuven

Leuven, Belgium
University of Birmingham

Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom

More trials for these conditions

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