Battle of the scalpels: which surgery is best for early rectal cancer?
NCT ID NCT02885142
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compared two procedures for removing early-stage rectal cancer or precancerous growths: endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). Both are less invasive than traditional surgery. The goal was to see which one removes the tumor more completely and safely. The trial was terminated early, so the results are limited.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- procedure
- What this could lead to
- If this trial succeeds, it could show which procedure is better for removing early rectal cancer with fewer complications.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early, so results may be incomplete. Both procedures are already used, so the benefit may be small.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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368 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Nov 2016
- Finished
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Aug 2022
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Presenting with an ERT (i.e. rectal adenoma or rectal carcinoma Tis or staged usT1N0 on endorectal ultrasound) that can be alternately resectable by TEM or ESD * Histology proved by a preoperative biopsy Exclusion Criteria: * " Palliative " excision T2/3/4 or N+ * Preoperative radiochemotherapy (down-staging) * Metastatic cancer * Pregnant or breast-feeding women
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille
Marseille, 13354, France
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