Active clinical trials for "Rectal Neoplasms"

This pilot clinical trial studies gene expression analysis and fludeoxyglucose F 18 (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating treatment response in patients with rectal cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy before surgery. Studying samples of tissue in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may also help doctors predict a patient's response to treatment before surgery. PET-MRI is a procedure that combines the pictures from a PET scan and an MRI scan. The combined scans give more detailed pictures of areas inside the body than either scan gives by itself. PET-MRI may help determine how well people respond to pre-surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy and help the surgeon make the best plan for removal of the tumor.

The primary objective of this research study is to explore the barriers encountered by specific demographic groups of rectal cancer patients during the engagement in clinical trials, which historically lack diverse representation. By carefully analyzing data from various demographic perspectives, this study aims to uncover patterns that impact the experiences of future rectal cancer patients. Active involvement in this crucial research is of utmost importance, as it can offer unique insights to enhance the participation and completion rates of rectal cancer patients in clinical study.

The purpose of this study is to use the SignateraTm assay created from rectal tumor biopsies to monitor participants' blood for fragments of DNA shed by tumor cells. The tumor DNA fragments are referred to as circulating tumor DNA, or ctDNA for short.

The purpose of the Colorectal Health Research Champions program is to provide accurate and reliable colorectal health cancer information that they can share within their communities to encourage cancer prevention, screening, and early detection, as well as the importance of participating in research.

The goal of pilot study is to assess the feasibility of FDG-PET/MRI for monitoring rectal cancer disease status in the setting of rectal cancer non-operative management (NOM). Data from this study will be used to guide the design of future clinical trials involving FDG-PET/MRI for rectal cancer NOM.

Advances in rectal cancer management have significantly reduced morbidity and mortality. The most commonly performed operation for rectal cancer is restorative proctectomy (RP), leaving up to 70% with long-term bowel dysfunction called Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS). LARS manifests as stool frequency, incontinence and difficult defecation. LARS, along with other functional impairments such as sexual and urinary dysfunction (SUD), can impact quality of life (QoL) and cause emotional distress. High-quality longitudinal data on these sequalae are lacking, leading to variable estimates of their prevalence, risk factors and prognosis. Most studies are European, cross-sectional, lack pre-treatment evaluation and long-term follow-up, and use inconsistent assessment measures. Thus, a North American study that evaluates patients longitudinally from diagnosis will provide quality data to fill this knowledge gap. The main aim of the proposed study is to contribute evidence regarding the impact of LARS, SUD, emotional/financial distress, and patient activation on long-term post-treatment QoL in North American rectal cancer after RP. This multicenter North American, observational, prospective cohort study relies on validated patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) at diagnosis, during and post-treatment. Patients from 20 sites will be recruited over 2 years and followed for 3 years. The primary endpoint is QoL as measured by the European Organization for Research & Treatment of Cancer QoL questionnaire. We anticipate accrual of 1200 patients. Factors associated with QoL will be explored. Impact of patient activation in relation to functional outcomes on QoL over time will be explored using a difference-in-differences approach. The study involves a multidisciplinary team who will provide expertise in research methodology, nursing, oncology and surgery. The main contributions of this study are 1) provision of reference baseline North American values for important rectal cancer PROMs for clinical and research use, 2) an understanding of the evolution of functional outcomes and QoL post-treatment to counsel patients peri-operatively and throughout survivorship, and 3) to provide the basis for future tailored programs to support rectal cancer survivors.

Erectile dysfunction will be explored by recording R / P and self-administered questionnaire IIEF-5.

This pilot clinical trial studies how well ferumoxytol-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) works in imaging lymph nodes in patients with rectal cancer that has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). Ferumoxytol is a form of very small iron particles that are taken up by cells in normal lymph nodes and may work better in imaging patients with rectal cancer when given with MRI.

Background Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and total mesorectal excision are standard treatments for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. These sphincter-saving operations may be accompanied by a series of functional disorders. Prospective studies dynamically evaluating the different roles of surgery and NCRT on anorectal function are lacking. Methods/design The study is a prospective, observational, controlled, multicentre study. After screening for eligibility and obtaining informed consent, a total of 402 rectal cancer patients aged from 18 to 75 years old undergoing sphincter preservation treatments at The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University and Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University are included in the trial. The primary outcome measure is the average resting pressure of anal sphincter. The secondary outcome measures are maximum anal sphincter contraction pressure and Wexner continence score. Evaluations will be carried out at the following stages: baseline (T1), after radiotherapy or chemotherapy (before surgery, T2), after surgery (before closing the temporary stoma, T3), and at follow-up visits (every 3 to 6 months, T4, T5……). Follow-up for each patient will be at least 2 years. Discussion We expect the program to provide more information on therapeutical options and strategies to reduce anorectal dysfunction of rectal cancer patients who have been undergone sphincter preservation treatments.

This study will determine the following: the response rate (including pathological CR rate), TTP, and complications of treatment in patients with rectal cancer treated with FOLFOX bevacizumab, the alteration of tumor blood flow (assessed by DCE-MRI as percentage change in Ktrans) after 1 cycle of bevacizumab therapy compared to baseline value in patients treated with FOLFOX alone and those treated with bevacizumab at 5 mg/kg., the degree of hypoxis (measured by tumor uptake of the 2-nitroimidazole EF5) induced by bevacizumab treatment and its relationship to changes in tumor blood flow, and the degree of apoptosis (measured by tumor uptake of di-annexin V) induced by bevacizumab treatment and its relationship to changes in tumor blood flow.