Organ Preservation in Rectal Cancer by Dose Escalated MR Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of rectal cancer localized between dentate line and 12 cm from the anocutaneous line
• Any MRI staged rectal cancer meeting the following criteria
• cT1-cT3 and
• cN0 -cN1 and
• cM0
• Inclusion of UICC Stage I tumors only if unsuitable for endoscopic resection or if primary surgery would require permanent colostomy or deep anastomosis with expected poor organ function.
• Tumor affects less than 70% of the rectal circumference.
• Maximum longitudinal extension of the tumor less than 8 cm on MRI
• MR-Staging requirements: High-resolution, thin-sliced (i.e.
• ≤3mm) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis.
• Cross-sectional imaging of the abdomen and chest to exclude distant metastases.
• Aged at least 18 years. No upper age limit.
• WHO/ECOG Performance Status ≤ 1
• Adequate hematological, hepatic, renal and metabolic function parameters
• Informed consent of the patient

Exclusion criteria

• Lower border of the tumor localised more than 12 cm from the anocutaneous line as measured by rigid rectoscopy
• Distant metastases
• Preexisting fecal incontinence for solid stool
• Prior antineoplastic therapy for rectal cancer
• Prior radiotherapy of the pelvic region
• Subject pregnant or breast feeding, or planning to become pregnant within 6 months after the end of treatment.
• Subject (male or female) is not willing to use highly effective methods of contraception (per institutional standard) during treatment and for 6 months (male or female) after the end of treatment (adequate: oral contraceptives, intrauterine device or barrier method in conjunction with spermicidal jelly).
• Other concomitant antineoplastic therapy
• Serious concurrent diseases, including neurologic or psychiatric disorders (incl. dementia and uncontrolled seizures), active,uncontrolled infections, active, disseminated coagulation disorder
• Other primary tumors with an estimated life expectancy of less than three years
• Contraindications for treatment with 5-Fluorouracil or Capecitabine
• Psychological, familial, sociological or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule (these conditions should be discussed with the patient before registration in the trial).