Phase I Study of Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy With 5-Fluorouracil for Rectal Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2021-05-13
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of fluorouracil when given together
with radiation therapy followed by combination chemotherapy before and after surgery in
treating patients with rectal cancer that has spread from where it started to nearby tissue
or lymph nodes. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink
tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as fluorouracil, leucovorin calcium, and
oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the
cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving more than
one drug (combination chemotherapy) before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the
amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. Giving additional combination chemotherapy
after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells. Giving radiation therapy and fluorouracil
followed by combination chemotherapy before and after surgery may be a better treatment for
rectal cancer.