Watchful Waiting. An Observational Study of Patients With Rectal Cancer After Concomitant Radiation and Chemotherapy

Patients entering this study are offered the possibility of avoiding an extensive operation and a permanent stoma.

Over the past 2 years Vejle Hospital examined patients with rectal cancer during their course of treatment and we have developed a method to predict complete response.

Patients in this study are treated with chemotherapy and external irradiation supplemented with an endorectal boost (2 fractions). At the start of treatment and weeks 2, 4, and 6 of the treatment course an endoscopy is performed to evaluate the response. The final evaluation is performed 6 weeks after end of treatment. Patients with complete remission are offered observation. Patients with residual tumor are advised to be operated.

Follow-up is performed every 2 months the first year and every 3 months the second year. 2 follow-up visits are planned for the third year. A yearly follow-up is scheduled for the fourth and fifth year.

Inclusion criteria

• Histopathologically verified adenocarcinoma in the rectum
• Planned APR or ultra low resection
• Primary resectable T2 or T3 tumor
• Distance from anus to lower edge of tumor ≤ 6 cm
• Suited for curative intended radiation and chemotherapy
• Accept taking of biopsy and blood samples for translational research
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Normal function of bone marrow

• leukocytes ≥ 3 x 10^9/l
• thrombocytes ≥ 100
• Normal liver function

• ALAT < 2.5 x upper normal value
• bilirubin < 2.5 x upper normal value
• Renal function

• Serum creatinin < 1.5 x upper normal value
• Written and orally informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Other malignant disease within the last 5 years apart from basocellular skin cancer and carcinoma in situ cervicis uteri
• Distant metastases
• Pregnant or breast feeding patients