Potential Treatment for Rectal Cancer Confirmed in New Research Project
A new treatment for rectal cancer makes tumours 'disappear completely' and could mean patients won't need invasive surgery, scientists suggest.
According to novel research, tumors may “disappear completely” as a result of a new rectal cancer therapy strategy.
Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have discovered ground-breaking ways to combat the illness, which over 40,000 Britons are estimated to contract each year according to NICE.
According to the team’s research, patients may avoid invasive colon surgery and maybe experience tumor disappearance with a certain kind of treatment while still maintaining vital physiological functioning.
The research’s principal investigator, Professor Bengt Glimelius, gave an explanation: “More often than not, the tumor goes away entirely, raising the possibility of not needing surgery and maintaining normal rectum and rectal function. Additionally, the number of metastases—secondary malignant growths—is lower.
Nowadays, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are frequently combined to treat rectal cancer. This is followed by partial colon surgery and further chemotherapy.
Although useful for removing tumors, this procedure may cause other issues and may require the use of a colostomy bag, which is a pouch that collects waste through a skin incision.
Rather than sandwiching an operation between chemotherapy and radiation therapy, scientists advise employing these treatments early on. This may mitigate, if not completely remove, the need for surgical intervention.
Professor Glimelius went on: “Surgery is not necessary if the tumor fully vanishes while receiving treatment. This keeps the rectum intact and removes the need for a new rectum and stoma.
“When part of the rectum is surgically removed, the new rectum does not quite understand that it should be able to refrain from frequently sending a signal to the brain that you need to use the toilet.”
