
Trial reports outcomes after local rectal surgery following chemoradiotherapy
A prospective, multicenter phase II trial examined whether removing only the treated tumor area through the anus could preserve the rectum in people with locally advanced rectal cancer who responded well to chemoradiotherapy. Among 80 participants, three-year disease-free survival was 84.8%, and local recurrence occurred in 5.0% during the reported follow-up. Because everyone received local excision and there was no comparison group, the findings do not establish that this approach is as effective as more extensive surgery.
