Active clinical trials for "Rectal Neoplasms"

Low Anterior Resection (LAR) surgery can be done using various techniques. The traditional technique for performing the surgery is through one or multiple incision(s) in the muscular wall of the abdomen. This will allow the surgeon to gain access to inside the belly (Abdominal cavity). The surgeon will start from above and go down until reaching the rectum located low in the pelvis. The surgeon will then cut out the rectum along with some of the tissue surrounding it and reconnect the bowel. An alternative new approach to perform Low Anterior Resection is called the Trans-anal approach. In this technique, a tube containing special surgical tools is introduced through the anus (back passage), while the patient is asleep. These tools are used to free the rectum up from its surroundings so that it can be removed. Taking out the rectum via the opening of the anus (Trans-anal) is a relatively new surgical approach. This new technique enables the surgeon to better see deep in the pelvis which makes it easier to remove the rectum and its surrounding outer tissues while protecting other important nerves and organs located in the pelvis. However, it also involves inserting a tube through the opening of the anus to perform the rectal dissection. The alternative traditional way of doing the operation does not involve inserting such a tube because the access to the pelvis and rectum is gained from above through incision(s) in the abdominal wall. The anal sphincter is the medical name for the muscle layers surrounding the opening of the anus. The anal sphincter functions as a seal that can be opened to discharge body waste and allow the passage of stool. A damage to the anal sphincter can result in inability to fully control bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly. Because the Trans-anal approach involves inserting a tube through the opening of the anus for the duration of the surgery, this can lead to a certain degree of stretch and damage to the anal sphincter muscles. The main aim of this study is to compare the effect of the these two possible approaches to perform "Low Anterior Resection" operation on the muscles of the anal sphincter and whether they are associated with stool seepage from the anus after the operation. Whether the patient is receiving the traditional or trans-anal approach is not related to the subject's participation in the study and is decided by the treating surgeon based on medical and surgical reasoning.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCHT) followed by surgery is the mainstay treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer, leading to significant decrease in tumor size (downsizing) and a shift towards earlier disease stage in the primary tumor and lymph nodes (downstaging). Extensive histopathological work-up of the tumor specimen after surgery including tumor regression grading (TRG) and lymph node status (ypN) helped to visualize individual tumor sensitivity to CRT retrospectively. Since the response to nCHT is heterogeneous, however, valid biomarkers are needed to monitor tumor response. A relevant number of studies aimed to identify molecular markers retrieved from tumor tissue while the relevance of blood-based biomarkers is less stringent assessed. As a potential alternative to CEA and ctDNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) are currently under investigation to serve as blood-based biomarkers. miRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by post-transcriptional mRNA binding, which promotes the destabilization of target miRNAs. The target specificity of miRNAs is largely predetermined by their so-called "seed-sequence" (containing nucleotides at position 2-7 of the miRNA). They are highly conserved between species, stable and easy detectable even in small concentrations. They have been widely analyzed in physiological and pathological processes, and their expression is tissue specific.

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard of care for rectal cancer, which can be combined with low anterior resection (LAR) in patients with mid-to-low rectal cancer. The narrow pelvic space and difficulties in obtaining adequate exposure make surgeries technically challenging. Four techniques are used to perform the surgery: open laparotomy, laparoscopy, robot-assisted surgery, and transanal surgery. Comparative data for these techniques is required to provide clinical data on the surgical management of rectal cancers by surgery.

Neoadjuvant therapy has been widely applied to locally advanced rectal cancer. However, about 50% of patients receiving this therapy do not respond well as evidenced by the fact that their T or N stages are not effectively decreased judged by postoperative pathological examination. The purpose of this trail is to identify the biomarkers (from within patients' tumor mass before neoadjuvant therapy) to predict resistance to neoadjuvant therapy. These biomarkers can help stratify neoadjuvant-resistant patients towards surgery while avoiding unnecessary chemoradio-based neoadjuvant therapy.

The purpose of this pilot study is to a) explore the photoacoustic properties of normal, polypoid, and malignant colorectal tissue and b) demonstrate the functionality of a novel endorectal photoacoustic ultrasound probe in humans with rectal cancer. The study includes two parts. The initial exploratory portion will be conducted ex vivo with resected colon and rectal specimens immediately following surgical excision. Based on those findings, an endorectal probe will then be constructed to examine in vivo tumors. The investigators hypothesize that in vivo photoacoustic imaging will be capable of differentiating normal from malignant tissue.

The aim of this retrospective national registry study is to validate the reporting of local recurrence in the registry. Another aim is to identify preoperative risk factors for local recurrence. This can in turn indicate the need for a more intense follow-up. The treatment of local recurrence, including the impact of the multidisciplinary team conference (MDT) and the surgical procedure and the referral pathways of local recurrences will also be determined. We aim to evaluate treatment outcome after local recurrence for patients operated or treated between 2007-2018.

Preoperative preparation protocol (prehabilitation) for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who need surgery. It consists of a change in the preoperative preparation. The patient is an active part of their preparation and the professionals help to achieve a better functional capacity to diminish morbidity and accelerate recovery. Three levels are controlled: Physical: control and stimulation to exercise at home. Nutrition: control and advice through homemade recipes. Emotional: control of the level of haste or depression and advice of mindfullness techniques at home. If they need specific help they are derived from specialized professionals (rehabilitator, nutritionist / endocrinologist, psychologist).

This study measures the levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with stage II-III rectal cancer before, during, and after treatment to find out if the presence or absence of ctDNA in patient's blood using the Signatera test can be used to gauge how different treatments may affect rectal cancer. ctDNA is DNA from the rectal cancer that is circulating in the blood. The purpose of this study is to understand if the way rectal tumors respond to standard treatment can be associated with varying levels of ctDNA.

The purpose of this study is to describe type and extent of psychological distress (adverse effects) in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastases and after surgery for colorectal cancer with involvement of the urinary bladder.

This phase Ib trial studies side effects and best dose of dasatinib in preventing oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with gastrointestinal cancers who are receiving FOLFOX regimen with or without bevacizumab. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX regimen), work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. However, the buildup of oxaliplatin in the cranial nerves can result in damage or the nerves. Dasatinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Blocking these enzymes may reduce oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.