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Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology), performs rectal cancer surgery at Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar.
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Last updated: 26 September 2026
For patients with rectal cancer, treatment often includes both chemotherapy and radiation before surgery. But a new study looked at what happens when radiation is skipped, and only chemotherapy is given first.
This approach is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It’s used before surgery to shrink the tumor. Researchers wanted to know how this option affects recovery and surgical side effects.
They reviewed data from four clinical trials involving people with advanced rectal cancer. All of them had MRI scans to guide their treatment. Some got chemotherapy only, while others got both chemotherapy and radiation before surgery.
The study found that people who had chemotherapy alone:
⦿ Were less likely to have a leak at the surgical join (called an anastomotic leak)
⦿ Needed temporary stoma bags (diverting ostomies) less often
⦿ Had their stoma bags reversed more successfully
There was no big difference in general surgery recovery within 30 days between the two groups.
While cancer control was just as good without radiation, not all studies measured bowel function the same way. This made it harder to compare that part.
These results are early but promising. For some patients, skipping radiation might mean fewer complications without affecting cancer outcomes. But it’s not right for everyone.
If you’re facing rectal cancer treatment, ask your doctor about your options. Treatment plans can be personalized based on your health, the tumor’s location, and other factors.
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