New Treatment Helps 4 in 5 Rectal Cancer Patients Avoid Surgery
What Happened
A landmark international trial found that chemoradiotherapy with surgery only when needed helped 4 in 5 early-stage rectal cancer patients avoid major surgery. The treatment could reduce the need for permanent colostomy bags and other life-altering side effects.
Key Takeaways
A new chemoradiotherapy-based approach allowed about 80% of early-stage rectal cancer patients to avoid major surgery and its long-term side effects while keeping the cancer under control.