Evaluation Contact X-ray Brachytherapy for Rectal Preservation in Intermediate Substage Rectal Adenocarcinoma

This Phase 3 clinical trial tests whether adding contact X-ray brachytherapy (CXB) — a localized radiation technique applied directly inside the rectum — to standard total neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy followed by radiation) can increase the chances of preserving the rectum and avoiding surgery in patients with intermediate-stage rectal cancer. Standard treatment (the control arm) uses chemotherapy (mFOLFIRINOX) followed by chemoradiation, while the experimental arm adds three sessions of CXB between these steps. Adults 18 and older with a confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma measuring 3.1–6 cm, at a specific stage (cT2N1 or T3N0-1, no distant spread), and located within 11 cm of the anal opening who are about to start or already on mFOLFIRINOX may be eligible. Participation involves additional CXB sessions and clinical, imaging, and endoscopic evaluations to assess tumor response. This summary was prepared as patient-facing educational content using AI assistance.