Positive outcomes from a novel treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer include the occasional full avoidance of surgery. The chance of a recurrence is also decreased. According to a thorough study done at Uppsala University and published in eClinicalMedicine, the approach is beneficial.
"The tumour disappears completely more often, thereby increasing the chance of avoiding surgery and retaining normal rectum and rectal function. Moreover, there are fewer metastases," said Bengt Glimelius, Professor of Oncology at Uppsala University and Senior Consultantat Uppsala University Hospital, about the new method. Rectal cancer affects around 2,000 people in Sweden every year.
Of these, a third have a high risk of recurrence. When a person is diagnosed with rectal cancer, part of the bowel is often removed, which could lead to the need for a stoma or problems controlling one's bowels. Patients often first receive radiotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy for five weeks, followed by surgery and usually an additional round of chemotherapy for up to six months.
A study conducted by Uppsala University in everyday healthcare shows that it is possible to double the chance of eliminating the need to surgically remove part of the bowel if all radiotherapy and chemotherapy are given first and then the patient undergoes surgery, if necessary. "If the tumour disappears completely during treatment, surgery is not required. This means that the rectum is preserv.