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Research on the outcomes of patients with rectal cancer

Every year, over 4,300 people in the Netherlands are diagnosed with rectal cancer, and more than 1,000 patients die from this disease. Treatment of rectal cancer consists of surgery, usually preceded by radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. This treatment is associated with a substantial risk of short- and longterm side effects. Research into more effective treatment with fewer side effects is therefore of great importance.

Within PLCRC, one of the research teams focusses on rectal cancer. This research line initiated in 2013 at the department of Radiation Oncology of the UMC Utrecht. All patients referred to this department for radiation therapy of rectal cancer are invited to participate. Clinical data and patient reported outcome measures are captured within the context of PLCRC. Additionally, imaging data (eg. MRI), and data on toxicity are collected.

Within this research line, effectiveness of new radiation and surgical interventions is being studied, as is the impact of these new technoloqies on quality of life, workability, bowel habits and stoma care. In addition, the team is investigating high resolution and functional imaging of the tumor (such as diffusion-weighted MRI or high field strength MRI).

A new trial design was introduced to study the effectiveness of multiple interventions simultaneously. This new design is called 'cohort multiple randomized controlled trial'. The results of the studies will be shared with patients and physicians via PLCRC newsletters.

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