NEOadjuvant Chemotherapy Only Compared With Standard Treatment for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• •Adenocarcinoma of the rectum with the lower boarder within 15 cm from the anal verge
• •Locally advanced tumor based on imaging
• •T3 tumors within 10 cm from the anal verge fulfilling the criteria for preoperative radio-chemotherapy according to Danish Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG) guidelines
• •T3c or T4 tumors 10-15 cm from the anal verge
• •Deemed resectable at the multidisciplinary team (MDT) conference
• •Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2
• •Age at least 18 years
• •Adequate bone marrow, liver and renal function allowing systemic chemotherapy
• •Absolute neutrophil count ≥1.5x109/l and thrombocytes ≥ 100x109/l.
• •Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper normal value and alanine aminotransferase ≤ 3 x upper normal value
• •Calculated or measured renal glomerular filtration rate at least 30 mL/min
• •Anticonception for fertile women and for male patients with a fertile partner. Intrauterine device, vasectomy of a female subject's male partner or hormonal contraceptive are acceptable
• •Written and orally informed consent