Organ Preservation in Patients With a Good Clinical Response After (Chemo)Radiation for Rectal Cancer: Defining the Role of Additional Contact X-ray Brachytherapy Versus Extending the Waiting Interval and Local Excision
The goal of this prospective phase II feasibility study is to evaluate two additional local treatment options in rectal cancer patients with a good clinical response after neoadjuvant (chemo)radiation: contact x-ray brachytherapy versus extension of the waiting interval with or without local excision, and to investigate which rate of organ preservation can be achieved.
• histologically verified adenocarcinoma above the dentate line and within 10cm of the anal verge;
• neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy for patients with 1) IRC and delayed response evaluation according to the Dutch national guidelines (cT1-3, cN1-2 lymph nodal status, no involved MRF or cT3c-d, N0-1 lymph nodal status without pres-ence of significant distant metastases) without full dose chemotherapy in the inter-val (e.g. Rapido-scheme) or 2) LARC due to comorbidity or frailty; OR
• neoadjuvant long-course radiotherapy (chemoradiation) for patients with 1) LARC according to the Dutch national guidelines (cT4 tumour, cN2 lymph nodal status, lateral lymph node involvement, and/or involved MRF, without the presence of significant distant metastases) or 2) early rectal cancer or IRC and a strong wish for organ preservation;
• clinically near-complete response or a small residual tumour mass \<3 cm;
• technically feasible to perform both treatment options (contact x-ray brachytherapy or local excision);
• age \>18 years;
• written informed consent.