Tests lateral lymph node removal surgery in people with rectal cancer
Studies surgical removal of suspected lymph nodes beside the rectum in adults with rectal cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Latitude - Lateral Lymph Node Attitude Study
Key facts
- Where
- Gothenburg, SwedenSee the site
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with advanced rectal cancer (adenocarcinoma). It studies surgery to remove cancer-affected lymph nodes at the side wall of the pelvis.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join
- Disease stage
- Rectal adenocarcinoma confirmed by biopsy. Either a tumour 8 cm (3.1 in) or less from the anal verge at stage cT3, cT4a or cT4b on MRI. Or a tumour 15 cm (5.9 in) or less from the anal verge, at any stage, with a visible lateral lymph node on MRI or PET-CT before treatment.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Rectal cancer not confirmed by biopsy as adenocarcinoma
- Recurrent rectal cancer
- Taking part in other trials that conflict with this trial
- No written informed consent
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Where in Sweden
- Dept. of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/OstraGothenburg, SwedenNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT06896578
- Record updated
- 8 August 2025
- Original description
Patients with advanced rectal cancer can sometimes have suspected tumour affected lymph nodes outside the standard operating field. These patients often receive preoperative treatment before surgery. There is a lack of consensus on what to do if there is remaining suspicion of tumour affected lymph nodes after the preoperative treatment. Removal of the lymph nodes using a broader surgical field with dissection of the lateral side-wall is often suggested, but the oncologic outcome is uncertain, and so is the patient reported outcome in terms of side effects.Read full original descriptionShow less
Lateral Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer Attitude Study
Patients with advanced rectal cancer can sometimes have suspected tumour affected lymph nodes outside the standard operating field. These patients often receive preoperative treatment before surgery. There is a lack of consensus on what to do if there is remaining suspicion of tumour affected lymph nodes after the preoperative treatment. Removal of the lymph nodes using a broader surgical field with dissection of the lateral side-wall is often suggested, but the oncologic outcome is uncertain, and so is the patient reported outcome in terms of side effects.
This study aims to study the surgical treatment of tumour affected lateral lymph nodes to understand what lymph nodes require removal, and what effect that will have on oncologic outcome and the patient's function and QoL.
Inclusion: 18 years or older; written informed consent; adenocarcinoma verified tumour below ≤ 8 cm from anal verge measured by rectoscopy and/or MRI; clinical tumor (cT) stage cT3, cT4a or cT4b on MRI or; adenocarcinoma verified tumour at any height ≤ 15 cm from anal verge measured by rectoscopy and/or MRI regardless of T/N stage with visible lateral lymph node (according to definition 2.4.2) on pre-therapeutic MRI or PET-CT.
Exclusion: Not biopsy confirmed rectal cancer (adenocarcinoma); Recurrent rectal cancer; Age below 18; Participation in other trials in conflict with the protocol and end-points of the Latitude study; No informed consent.