Improving diagnosis of rectal cancer using imaging techniques

Concordance of Imaging and Pathology Diagnosis of Extranodal Tumour Deposits

This study is testing whether using advanced MRI techniques can help doctors better identify rectal cancer before surgery to improve treatment outcomes for patients.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 200 (estimated)
• Ages: 16 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Imperial College London (other)
• Locations: 1 site (London, Surrey)
• Trial ID: NCT03303547 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to enhance the accuracy of diagnosing adenocarcinoma of the rectum by using MRI mapping techniques to identify and map tumor deposits before surgery. Radiologists will share this imaging information with pathologists to improve the concordance between imaging and pathology findings. The study is prospective and multi-centre, involving patients who are undergoing surgical resection for suspected primary adenocarcinoma. Participants will be followed for five years to assess the impact of this approach on treatment and prognosis.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 16 and over with suspected primary adenocarcinoma of the colon, sigmoid, or rectum who are eligible for surgical resection.

Not a fit: Patients with recurrent or synchronous tumors, or those under the age of 16, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment planning for patients with rectal cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results using imaging techniques to improve cancer diagnosis, suggesting this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Suspected primary adenocarcinoma of the colon, sigmoid or rectum (proven by biopsy taken as part of routine clinical practice, patients to be withdrawn if not subsequently adenocarcinoma on pathology).
2. Amenable to surgical resection.
3. Disease spread assessed on imaging
4. Patients having primary surgery and those undergoing neoadjuvant treatment will be included.
5. All must have had baseline staging scans and those undergoing neoadjuvant therapy must also have had a post-treatment scan.
6. Patients aged 16 years and over

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with recurrent tumours
2. Synchronous tumours
3. Under the age of 16 years
4. Unable to give informed consent.

Where this trial is running

London, Surrey

• Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust — London, Surrey, United Kingdom (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Gina Brown, MD — Imperial College London
• Study coordinator: Caroline Martin

Conditions: Adenocarcinoma of the Rectum, MRI, Tissue, Imaging, Pathology, Rectal, Cancer