Rectal cancer is a common type of cancer and an important cause of illness and death worldwide. In 2020, cancers of the colon and rectum were the fourth most common cancers globally, and about one third of these cases were rectal cancer. Surgery is the main treatment for rectal cancer. In more advanced cases, chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy are often given before surgery. However, surgery can sometimes result in a permanent stoma (an opening on the abdomen for bowel movements) and carries higher risks of complications, especially in older patients or those with other medical problems. Because of this, there is growing interest in treatment approaches that can control the cancer while avoiding major surgery when possible. Some studies suggest that in carefully selected patients, rectal cancer can be treated without removing the rectum if the tumor responds well to radiation and chemotherapy. In these patients, survival outcomes may be similar to those who undergo surgery, although the risk of the cancer growing back locally can be slightly higher. This means that careful and long-term follow-up is very important. One of the key challenges with non-surgical treatment is determining how much radiation is needed to completely eliminate the tumor while minimizing side effects. Contact X-ray brachytherapy is a type of radiation treatment that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor using low-energy X-rays. Because the radiation is given very close to the tumor, it can better target the cancer while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This technique has been used in Europe for many years and is recommended by international guidelines in selected patients, mainly within research settings. Other forms of brachytherapy using modern radiation sources can achieve similar dose distributions and may also support organ-preserving treatment strategies. A new medical device called the Maastro applicator has been developed for use with high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy systems. This applicator is designed to deliver radiation in a way that closely mimics low-energy X-ray treatments, while being compatible with widely available HDR brachytherapy equipment. Early technical studies suggest that it can deliver radiation accurately and safely, but its clinical effectiveness and safety in patients with rectal cancer have not yet been fully studied. This phase II prospective study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and early treatment outcomes of using the Maastro applicator for brachytherapy in patients with rectal cancer. The study will assess how often the tumor completely disappears after treatment, how well the cancer is controlled over time, the side effects of treatment, and how patients' quality of life changes. The results of this study will help determine whether this treatment approach is suitable for wider clinical use and will contribute to improving future treatment options for patients with rectal cancer.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Clinical Complete Response (cCR) Rate
Timeframe: Within 6 months after completion of Maastro applicator HDR brachytherapy