New Treatment for Rectal Cancer Shows Promising Results
A recent study by Uppsala University has revealed positive outcomes from a new treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. This innovative approach can sometimes completely avoid the need for surgery and reduce the chance of cancer recurrence.
Study Details
The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, was conducted by a team of doctors, researchers, and research nurses at Uppsala University. It involved 461 patients and utilized data from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR).
Key Findings
Professor Bengt Glimelius, a Senior Consultant at Uppsala University Hospital, explained that the new treatment method often results in the complete disappearance of the tumor. This increases the chances of avoiding surgery and retaining normal rectal function. Additionally, there are fewer metastases.
Traditionally, rectal cancer treatment involves radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery and more chemotherapy. The new approach suggests giving all radiotherapy and chemotherapy first, then performing surgery only if necessary. This method has doubled the chance of eliminating the need for bowel removal.
Benefits of the New Treatment
If the tumor disappears completely during treatment, surgery is not required, preserving the rectum and eliminating the need for a stoma. This is significant because surgically removing part of the rectum can lead to bowel control issues.
The study also confirmed that the new treatment does not increase the rate of local recurrences, even after almost five years of follow-up. The results are consistent with a previous randomized study but without the noted increase in local recurrences.
Professor Glimelius emphasized the importance of showing that experimental treatments can work in everyday healthcare settings.
Doubts Revealed
Rectal Cancer -: Rectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the rectum, which is the last part of the large intestine before the anus.
Uppsala University -: Uppsala University is a famous university in Sweden, known for its research and education.
Radiotherapy -: Radiotherapy is a treatment that uses high-energy rays, like X-rays, to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy -: Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses special medicines to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
Bowel Removal -: Bowel removal is a surgery where part of the intestine is taken out to remove cancer.
Professor Bengt Glimelius -: Professor Bengt Glimelius is a scientist who studies cancer and works at Uppsala University.
Metastases -: Metastases are cancer cells that have spread from the original tumor to other parts of the body.
Local Recurrence -: Local recurrence means the cancer has come back in the same place after treatment.
