Why thousands of bowel cancer patients could be spared life-altering surgery
- A landmark clinical trial has revealed that around 80 per cent of early-stage rectal cancer patients could avoid radical surgery and keep their rectum using chemoradiotherapy.
- Currently, around 4,100 people in the UK are diagnosed with early-stage rectal cancer annually and typically undergo radical surgery that can leave them with a permanent stoma.
- The trial evaluated over 500 patients across five countries, comparing traditional radical surgery against shorter radiotherapy courses and a five-week chemoradiotherapy regimen.
- Findings published in The Lancet Oncology showed that five weeks of chemoradiotherapy, alongside localised surgery when needed, was the most effective approach to avoid removing the rectum.
- Researchers will monitor patients for three years to assess long-term survival and recurrence rates, with experts hoping the treatment will soon become standard care.
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