View clinical trials related to Rectal Neoplasms.
Filter by:Preoperative radiotherapy and pelvic surgery is recommended to many patients with rectal cancer. For men there are theoretical reasons to believe that the treatment may effect hormone levels, spermatogenesis, sexual function and wellbeing. To address these questions a longitudinal observational study was initiated where measurements of androgen hormone levels, semen samples and sexual function were assessed before treatment (baseline) and during a follow-up period of two years.
Preoperative radiotherapy (RT) and pelvic surgery is recommended to many patients with rectal cancer. For women there are theoretical reasons to believe that the treatment may affect hormone levels, sexual function and wellbeing. To address these questions a longitudinal observational study was initiated where androgen levels and sexual function were assessed before treatment (baseline) and during a follow-up period of two years.
RATIONALE: Preoperative 5-Fu based chemoradiation has become standard treatment for stage 2/3 rectal cancer. However whether these patients, especially T3N0-1M0 patients, really need radiation for local control after total mesentery excision being applied in routine practice is still unknown. And whether new drugs adding in can achieve better local and distant control is worth investigating. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying 5Fu based radiation therapy or FOLFOX based radiation or FOLFOX alone, comparing them to see how well they work when given before surgery in treating patients with intermediate risk resectable rectal cancer. It is not yet known whether 5-Fu based or FOLFOX based radiation therapy or even FOLFOX alone is more effective in treating rectal cancer.
The purpose of this study is to determine if positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with an imaging agent called 18F-fluorodeoxythymidine([18F]-FLT) will allow investigators to measure how well tumor(s) respond to treatment without taking a tissue sample (biopsy). Additionally, the investigators want to determine if it is possible to predict how well tumor(s) might respond to treatment with [18F]-FLT PET imaging.
RATIONALE: Radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies can find tumor cells and either kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Giving radioactive substances together with antibodies may be effective treatment for some advanced cancers. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as irinotecan hydrochloride, fluorouracil, and leucovorin calcium (FOLFIRI), work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Bevacizumab may also stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies together with combination chemotherapy and bevacizumab may be an effective treatment for colorectal cancer. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects, best way to give, and best dose of yttrium Y 90 DOTA anti-CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) monoclonal antibody M5A when given together with combination chemotherapy and bevacizumab in treating patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
The purpose of this study is to determine if a new drug, RO4929097, can work with cetuximab, a drug already approved for colorectal cancer, to help fight the patient's cancer. Cancers arise as a result of abnormal control of gene expression. One of the pathways that gets abnormally regulated in some cancers is the Notch pathway. RO4929097 is an investigational drug that blocks the activation of the Notch pathway. It is hoped that by blocking this abnormal activation, this drug may be helpful in patients with cancer but the investigators do not yet know if that is true. Cetuximab is an antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor and is known to have activity in metastatic colorectal cancer. Recent studies have shown that people with colorectal cancers that contain a mutation in a gene called K-ras do not benefit from receiving cetuximab. It is unknown if adding RO4929097 to cetuximab would benefit patients who have tumors with this mutation.
This randomized pilot clinical trial studies the side effects of giving paricalcitol together with fluorouracil and radiation therapy in treating patients with rectal cancer that can be removed in surgery. Paricalcitol may help rectal cancer cells become more like normal cells, and to grow and spread more slowly. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high energy x rays to kill tumor cells. It not yet known if chemotherapy and radiation therapy are more effective with or without paricalcitol in treating rectal cancer
RATIONALE: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery may be a less invasive type of surgery for rectal cancer and may have fewer side effects and improve recovery. It is not yet known whether robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery is more effective than laparoscopic surgery in treating patients with rectal cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial studies robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery to see how well it works compared to laparoscopic surgery in treating patients with rectal cancer that can be removed by surgery.
RATIONALE: Vaccines made from a gene-modified virus may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of vaccine therapy in treating patients with colorectal, stomach, or pancreatic cancer.
The purpose of this study is to see if the cells in rectal cancer are oxygen-starved, or hypoxic. We know that as cancers grow bigger, parts of them are cut off from the oxygen supply and they become hypoxic, basically, lacking oxygen. Research has shown that cells that are oxygen-starved respond differently to treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation when compared to cells that are oxygen rich.