An image showing the large intestine.The clinical results of a treatment that allows rectal cancer patients to survive long-term without surgery have been announced. Provided by Getty Image Bank
for some rectal cancer patients, the future may no longer automatically include surgery. A new treatment strategy is showing remarkable promise, with a recent study demonstrating a 100% four-year overall survival rate in patients who avoided the operating room.
Skipping the Knife: A New Hope for Rectal Cancer Patients
A groundbreaking approach to rectal cancer treatment is offering long-term survival without the need for surgical intervention.
- researchers at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital have reported a 100% four-year overall survival rate for 17 rectal cancer patients who underwent a non-surgical treatment plan.
- The strategy involves chemotherapy, radiation, and a four-month course of oral anticancer drugs.
- This approach might potentially be especially beneficial for patients concerned about surgical side effects or those who are elderly.
- Precise evaluation and close follow-up are crucial for the success of this non-surgical approach.
On January 8th, a multidisciplinary team at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, announced the results of their clinical study. The team, comprised of specialists in radiation oncology, surgery, and hematology/oncology, evaluated a non-surgical approach to treating rectal cancer, aiming for long-term survival without resorting to surgery.
Rectal cancer, defined as colon cancer occurring within 10 centimeters of the anus, is typically treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and subsequent surgical resection. However,surgery near the anus can be challenging,potentially impacting excretory function and leading to other complications.
A growing discussion has emerged within the medical community regarding whether patients experiencing ‘complete clinical remission’ – where cancer appears to have vanished after chemotherapy and radiation – should bypass immediate surgery. This study sought to determine the safety and efficacy of such a strategy.
Between 2018 and 2023, 89 patients with rectal cancer received initial chemotherapy and radiation. Of these, 17 patients who achieved complete clinical response where enrolled in a non-surgical treatment protocol. This involved a four-month course of oral anticancer drug adjuvant treatment, a departure from simple observation.
The results were striking. All 17 patients remained alive throughout the study period, achieving a four-year overall survival rate of 100%. Furthermore, the four-year recurrence-free survival rate, excluding local regrowth, was 77.8%, indicating the long-term viability of this non-surgical approach.
“This result proves that patients with rectal cancer can expect excellent long-term survival without surgery,” stated Professor Koo Dong-hoe. “It can be a good treatment option for patients who are concerned about the side effects of surgery or are elderly.”
Professor Kim Heung-dae emphasized the importance of a meticulous approach, stating, “precise multidisciplinary evaluation and close follow-up are the keys to the success of non-surgical treatment strategies.” He added that the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital team is dedicated to ongoing research to optimize rectal cancer treatment.
The findings of this study were published in the journal Cancer Research and treatment.
