Could some rectal cancer patients skip surgery? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT03179540
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study is testing whether active surveillance (watchful waiting) is as safe as surgery for people with low rectal cancer who have a complete response after chemoradiotherapy. About 90 participants will be monitored for 2 years to see how often the cancer returns and whether delayed surgery is still effective. The goal is to avoid major surgery and its side effects for those who may not need it.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- non-operative management (active surveillance)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could allow some patients with low rectal cancer to avoid surgery and its side effects, while still controlling the cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase II study with only 90 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. There is a risk of cancer regrowth, and if that happens, surgery may be needed.
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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About 90 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2018
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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
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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: * Completed chemoradiotherapy (CRT) as standard of care \[Stage II and Stage III (T3-T4N0, AnyTN1-2)\]; \[50 Gy (2 Gy x 25 fractions) with 5-FU or capecitabine\] * Planned or probable APR * ALL criteria for complete clinical response are met between 8 and 10 weeks following completion of CRT * 18 years or older * Provides written consent Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to undergo MRI * Metastatic disease (including extramesorectal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes) * Pregnancy * Inflammatory bowel disease * More than one primary colorectal cancer * Other malignancy within 5 years of treatment for current rectal cancer * Unfit for surgery
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Sinai Health System
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada
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