Customized Vacuum Immobilization Device (CVID) for Cancer of Rectum
This study is evaluating whether or not the use of a customized vacuum immobilization device (CVID) to immobilize rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative pelvic radiation therapy improves the positional stability of patients during each radiation treatment.
See full descriptionAbout the trial for Cancer of Rectum
Treatment Groups
This trial involves 2 different treatments. Customized Vacuum Immobilization Device (CVID) is the primary treatment being studied. Participants will all receive the same treatment. There is no placebo group. The treatments being tested are not being studied for commercial purposes.
Eligibility
This trial is for patients born any sex aged 18 and older. There are 4 eligibility criteria to participate in this trial as listed below.
Approximate Timelines
Measurement Requirements
This trial is evaluating whether Customized Vacuum Immobilization Device (CVID) will improve 1 primary outcome and 1 secondary outcome in patients with Cancer of Rectum. Measurement will happen over the course of 2 years.
Patient Q & A Section
What are the signs of cancer of rectum?
The signs and symptoms of cancer of rectum are not clearly defined, and are sometimes hard to identify in adults. A thorough history is recommended in order to formulate a differential diagnosis. Screening is only recommended in those with chronic constipation, blood in stool or haemorrhoids. A positive fecal occult blood test is a reliable sign for colorectal carcinoma. The stage of the tumour is crucial in determining the type of surgery, and staging should be done in patients with constipation and faecal occult blood. In those with signs but no symptoms of cancer of rectum, endovaginal ultrasound scanning can be performed.
What are common treatments for cancer of rectum?
In the most extreme cases, surgery or radiation have been the treatments of choice. There are also several alternative and complementary treatments, such as herbal and palliative medicines, acupuncture, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and meditation.
What causes cancer of rectum?
Colorectal cancer is caused by a variety of factors. Tobacco smoking, a diet high in fat and animal protein, and aflatoxin exposure appear to be linked to a small proportion of cases. Inadequate and chronic bleeding after bowel inspection may be more important. No single factor appears solely to cause most cases.
How many people get cancer of rectum a year in the United States?
Around 20,600 people are diagnosed with CRM in the United States in 2006. The proportion of CRM diagnosed among patients in the United States is higher in men than in women. Median mortality from CRM is 3 months, irrespective of the stage or the tumor site of origin.
Can cancer of rectum be cured?
Cancer of rectum (as well as [colon cancer](https://www.withpower.com/clinical-trials/colon-cancer)) is not cured by surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy - or even cure. It is imperative that patients are informed and understand the fact that, as the only cure for [colorectal cancer](https://www.withpower.com/clinical-trials/colorectal-cancer) is a complete resection, there is no cure for rectal cancer. Treatments used or in development for rectal cancer currently focus on relieving life-threatening symptoms rather than a cure by itself. Clinically advanced rectal cancer typically progresses to liver metastases or distant spread to the lungs and/or brain within 2 years without any treatments. Follow-up care will be essential for these patients, and should be coordinated into their treatment plans to help manage and minimize complications.
What is cancer of rectum?
While a small proportion of cases are diagnosed with malignant lesions within rectal wall, most of these are in fact either squamous cell carcinoma of the colon or adenocarcinoma of the rectum. In contrast to [colon cancer](https://www.withpower.com/clinical-trials/colon-cancer), rectal cancer tends to present with occult cancer cell spread, as compared to colon cancer, where cancer cells are detectable on cytology. The development of MRI and MR colonographic has enabled the detection of occult cancers cells of rectal wall and the detection and staging of rectal cancers. The outcome of locally advanced rectal cancers is not different from colon cancers. Local surgical resection with low anterior resection is effective treatment in some patients. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is also an option.
Has customized vacuum immobilization device (cvid) proven to be more effective than a placebo?
cvid has an insignificant therapeutic effect for advanced rectal cancer as measured by TRS. The superiority of cvid is not supported by a clinically significant difference in primary outcome measures, and TRS has a good positive and negative predictive value, which limits the application of personalized treatments at this stage.
Does cancer of rectum run in families?
Results from the present study do not support the concept that there are familial predispositions to [colorectal cancer](https://www.withpower.com/clinical-trials/colorectal-cancer), including cancer as rectum, in the Croatian population.
Who should consider clinical trials for cancer of rectum?
Clinical trials of rectal cancer are very scarce and many patients do not know about them. Although they are being designed for certain patient populations, there are other characteristics that make them interesting for all rectal cancer patients. To address this, physicians or nurse specialists should be vigilant to the trial's goals to make them aware of clinical trials, and then give them the opportunity to receive appropriate information.
Is customized vacuum immobilization device (cvid) typically used in combination with any other treatments?
For the most part, cvid was a well tolerated treatment for the management of symptomatic metastatic rectal cancer. The use of cvid in combination with other treatments was limited by the lack of available randomized clinical trials. There is a need for more prospective trials including standard treatment schedules in order to more fully address the role of cvid in the management of rectal cancer.
How quickly does cancer of rectum spread?
Based on our preliminary study, we feel that the rectal wall has a limited role in the spread of advanced rectal cancers and may serve as a local site for anastomotic recurrence.
Have there been any new discoveries for treating cancer of rectum?
There have been many studies investigating different methods for curative treatment of rectovaginal cancer. However, there is limited data regarding adjuvant (or conservative) treatment of this sub type of cancer (Rectal wall and infiltration). Therefore, the present article shows possible treatment pathways based on the results of recent studies.