Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Improving Diagnosis and Treatment for Patients With Rectal Cancer

This study is about improving how we diagnose and treat cancer in the back passage (rectal cancer). Doctors currently use scans to understand how far the cancer has spread, which helps them decide on the best treatment and surgery. We're looking at a new way to read these MRI scans, hoping it will give a clearer picture of what will happen to patients in the future. By training radiologists (doctors who look at scans) in this new method, we want to see if it's better than the old way at predicting how well treatments will work. This could lead to more personalised and effective care for people with rectal cancer, ultimately improving their journey.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

438

Start

01 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

31 May 2031

GI Cancer

What is this study about?

This study is all about making sure patients with cancer in the back passage (rectal cancer) get the best possible diagnosis and treatment. When someone is diagnosed with rectal cancer, doctors use special scans, like MRI scans, to understand how far the cancer has spread. This information is really important because it helps them decide which treatments, such as surgery or other therapies, will be most effective for that individual.

We are looking into a new way of interpreting these MRI scans. The current method focuses on whether the cancer has spread through the bowel wall and if there are suspicious lymph nodes (small glands). The new method looks for different signs, such as cancer spreading into veins or forming small deposits. Our previous research suggests this new scan interpretation might be much better at predicting how a patient will do after treatment. If this is true, it could mean doctors can make even more informed decisions about a patient's care.

To test this, we will be training radiologists (doctors who specialise in reading scans) to use this new method. We'll then compare how accurate the new method is against the old method in predicting patient outcomes. We also want to understand the overall experience of patients – their journey through diagnosis and treatment, how treatments affect their daily lives, and if better scan information can change treatment plans for the better. We hope this research will lead to kinder and more effective treatments for people with rectal cancer.

Key takeaways

Aims to improve rectal cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Compares a new MRI scan reading method with the old one.
Hopes to predict patient outcomes more accurately.
Could lead to more personalised treatment decisions.
Also exploring patient experiences and quality of life.
Primarily reviews existing, anonymised medical information.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would generally need to be aged 16 or older and have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer in your back passage (rectal cancer) through a biopsy or surgery. Your medical team also needs to be able to share your anonymised (all personal details removed) scan results and other medical information for review.

There are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if your cancer has already spread to other parts of your body and cannot be removed, or if you are only receiving treatment to manage symptoms (palliative care). Additionally, if your rectal cancer is not a common type called 'adenocarcinoma' or if you have a medical reason that prevents you from having an MRI scan, you wouldn't be able to take part.

Quick self-check

Are you 16 years old or over?
Do you have a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of rectal cancer?
Can your clinic provide your anonymised scan and medical reports?
Is your cancer not widely spread (metastatic) when first diagnosed?
Is your cancer the common 'adenocarcinoma' type?
Are you able to have an MRI scan if needed for your diagnosis?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

This study is primarily looking at existing information, not asking patients to undergo new procedures or treatments specifically for the research. We will be looking at anonymised (personal details removed) scans and medical records of people who have been diagnosed with rectal cancer. Radiologists will review these scans using both the existing method and the new method we are testing. We will also be gathering information on patients' experiences to understand how treatment affects their quality of life.

If you are a patient whose data is included, you won't need to do anything extra. This study is about improving how doctors use existing information to plan care, rather than asking patients to take new medications or attend additional appointments. The overall duration encompasses looking at historical data and some prospectively collected information, but it doesn't involve ongoing direct patient participation in terms of assessments or visits for the study itself.

Potential risks and benefits

As this study mainly involves reviewing existing, anonymised medical records, there are no direct risks to patients in terms of new procedures or treatments. The potential benefit is that the findings could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better-tailored treatment plans for future patients with rectal cancer, potentially improving their quality of life and outcomes. Patients whose data might be included in such a study would not be directly enrolled nor could they 'withdraw' as their anonymised data would already be part of the records being reviewed.

Locations (3)

Southampton General Hospital
Southampton, United Kingdom
John Radcliffe Hospital
Oxford, United Kingdom
Salisbury District Hospital
Salisbury, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is rectal cancer?

Rectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the rectum, which is the last part of the large intestine (bowel).

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of organs and structures inside your body.

What is a 'radiologist'?

A radiologist is a doctor who specialises in reading and interpreting medical images like X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans.

Will my treatment change if I'm in this study?

This study is reviewing past and ongoing patient data to improve future care. Your individual treatment plan will be decided by your medical team based on your specific needs, independent of this research study's review process.

What does 'anonymised' information mean?

Anonymised means that all personal details that could identify you, like your name or address, have been removed from your medical information before it's used for the study.

How to find out more

Caroline Martin

giclinicaltrials@imperial.ac.uk +44 (0) 7749 655 817 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.