Can we Save the rectum by watchful waiting or transanal microsurgery following shorT-course radiotherapy and Additional local oR systemic Treatment for early-stage REctal Cancer? STARTREC-3 protocol for a non-randomised, multicentre, phase II platform study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is highly effective for early-stage rectal cancer, but is associated with considerable morbidity, which can substantially impair the quality of life (QoL) of patients. For very early tumours (low-risk cT1), local excision (LE) offers the possibility of organ preservation (OP) with reduced morbidity; however, its application is limited to a selected group. For early tumours where upfront LE is not feasible, primary OP with (chemo)radiotherapy as an alternative to TME surgery has been evaluated in the STARTREC phase II/III studies, which reported promising 1-year OP rates.

Objective

The STARTREC-3 trial aims to increase the 2-year OP rate from 60% to 80% in early rectal cancer (cT1-3abN0) and from 30% to 60% in early-intermediate re

SUBMITTER: de Vries SEN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12716508 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature