When is the best time for chemoradiation before rectal cancer surgery?

NCT ID NCT00335816

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase II trial tests how well chemoradiation (using fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) works before surgery for stage II or III rectal cancer. The study looks at different time intervals between chemoradiation and surgery to see which timing leads to the best tumor shrinkage and fewest complications. About 248 participants are enrolled at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

fluorouracil, leucovorin calcium, oxaliplatin, radiation therapy

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help doctors choose the best time between chemoradiation and surgery to improve tumor shrinkage and reduce side effects.

What could go wrong

This is a mid-stage trial with 248 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The treatment involves strong chemotherapy and radiation, which can cause significant side effects.

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.

colorectal cancer colorectal neoplasm rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Cancer Care Center at John Muir Health - Concord Campus

    Concord, California, 94524-4110, United States

  • Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of California Irvine Medical Center

    Orange, California, 92868, United States

  • City of Hope Medical Center

    Duarte, California, 91010-3000, United States

  • Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

  • Colon and Rectal Surgery, Incorporated

    Omaha, Nebraska, 68114, United States

  • H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute at University of South Florida

    Tampa, Florida, 33612-9497, United States

  • Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University

    Portland, Oregon, 97239-3098, United States

  • Masonic Cancer Center at University of Minnesota

    Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States

  • Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital - Saint Louis

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

  • St. Joseph Hospital Regional Cancer Center - Orange

    Orange, California, 92868-3849, United States

  • Tom Baker Cancer Centre - Calgary

    Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N2, Canada

  • UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

    San Francisco, California, 94115, United States

  • University of Chicago Cancer Research Center

    Chicago, Illinois, 60637-1470, United States

  • Vermont Cancer Center at University of Vermont

    Burlington, Vermont, 05405-0110, United States

  • Washington Cancer Institute at Washington Hospital Center

    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010, United States