Radboudumc research shows rectal cancer surgery may be avoidable

Research led by Radboudumc indicates that full removal of the rectum is not always necessary for treating rectal cancer. A large-scale study involving approximately 500 patients suggests that a combination of radiation and chemotherapy can effectively treat the cancer while preserving the organ.

In the study, nearly 80 percent of patients who received a combination of radiation and chemotherapy were able to avoid full rectal removal or limit the procedure to a minor surgery. For those receiving only short-term radiation, the preservation rate was 61 percent. This approach offers a significant improvement in quality of life, as traditional surgery often results in the need for a permanent stoma and can cause long-term issues related to bowel control and sexual function.

As a result of these findings, published in The Lancet Oncology, medical guidelines in the Netherlands have been updated. Patients can now choose between traditional surgery and organ-preserving treatments, such as the combination of radiation and chemotherapy.