The current treatment of early rectal cancer after local excision is additional surgery, in which all or a part of the rectum together with the surrounding lymph nodes is removed. This surgery is associated with a high risk of complications, reduced bowel functionality and a substantial percentage of patients will get an (temporary or permanent) ostomy. As a result, patients often report a deterioration in quality of life after surgery.

Surgery targets all stages of rectal cancer, including advanced stages. However, in early rectal cancer patients less invasive treatment may be sufficient.

In the TESAR trial we study organ-sparing treatment for early rectal cacner. The study focuses on equivalent oncological outcomes, improvement of quality of life and a lower risk of short- and long-term complications.