Clinical Research Directory

Evaluation of Quality of Life and Utilities Following Surgical Treatment of Stage I-IV Rectal Cancer

This study evaluates quality of life and utilities following surgical treatment of stage I-IV rectal cancer. This study may help researches learn more about quality of life in patients who have or have had rectal cancer.

Short Course Radiation Therapy and Combination Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Stage II-III Rectal Cancer

This phase I trial investigates how well short-course radiation therapy followed by combination chemotherapy works in treating patients with stage II-III rectal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy drugs, such as leucovorin, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine, 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 short-course radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy may reduce the need for surgery and therefore improve quality of life.

Financial Burden Assessment in Patients With Stage I-III Colon or Rectal Cancer Undergoing Treatment

This research trial studies the financial burden in patients with stage I-III colon or rectal cancer who are undergoing treatment. Collecting data from patients about their cost and quality of life may help doctors to better understand the impact of cancer treatment on a patient?s employment and finances.

Active Surveillance and Chemotherapy Before Surgery in Treating Participants With Stage II-III Rectal Cancer

This pilot trial studies how well active surveillance and chemotherapy before surgery work in treating participants with stage II-III rectal cancer. Active surveillance involves monitoring participants for additional tumor growth after receiving cancer treatment. Drugs used in chemotherapy 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. It is not yet known whether deferring surgery after active surveillance and chemotherapy will work better in treating participants with stage II-III rectal cancer.

Establishing a ctDNA Biomarker to Improve Organ Preserving Strategies in Patients With Rectal Cancer

This study measures the levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with stage II-III rectal cancer before, during, and after treatment to find out if the presence or absence of ctDNA in patient's blood using the Signatera test can be used to gauge how different treatments may affect rectal cancer. ctDNA is DNA from the rectal cancer that is circulating in the blood. The purpose of this study is to understand if the way rectal tumors respond to standard treatment can be associated with varying levels of ctDNA.