Studying why bowel problems develop after colorectal cancer surgery
Studies bowel function in people with low anterior resection syndrome after colorectal cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Understanding and Tailored Treatment of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome
Key facts
- Where
- Aalborg, Aarhus, and Vejle, DenmarkSee the 3 sites
Where in Denmark
- Aalborg University HospitalAalborg, DenmarkNo longer taking part
- Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, DenmarkTaking people
- Vejle HospitalVejle, DenmarkTaking people
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?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Aalborg University Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT07573371
- Record updated
- 7 May 2026
- Original description
The goal of this observational study is to learn why some patients develop low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) after colorectal cancer treatment. The study also aims to identify different subtypes of LARS and understand which patients may respond to specific treatments.Read full original descriptionShow less
Understanding and Tailored Treatment of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome
The goal of this observational study is to learn why some patients develop low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) after colorectal cancer treatment. The study also aims to identify different subtypes of LARS and understand which patients may respond to specific treatments.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* What physiological and imaging changes are associated with LARS? * How do patients with LARS differ from patients without LARS after colorectal cancer surgery? * Are there measurable differences between LARS, patients treated with organ-preserving chemoradiotherapy, and patients with fecal incontinence?
Participants will:
* Complete advanced physiological and imaging assessments related to bowel function * Be compared with four control groups:
* patients without LARS after colorectal cancer surgery * patients treated with organ-preserving chemoradiotherapy * patients with fecal incontinence and urge fecal incontinence * Take part in a single study visit where all measurements are performed
Inclusion: General:; Must be able to read and understand Danish; All participants must be adults and >18 years and have full legal capacity; Assessed by study personnel to have understood the research protocol, being able to comply with investigation procedures as well as ability to come to the hospital at the agreed timepoints, and to complete the trial; Specific inclusion criteria for LARS patients:; Patients operated for rectal cancer with a rectal resection and sphincter preserving surgery at a minimum of three months postop; If patients have received a temporary protective ileostomy, this should have been reversed for a minimum of three months postop; Specific inclusion criteria for fecal incontinence patients and urge fecal incontinence patients; Patients planned for neuromodulation; Satisfactory interoperative test results leading to permanent implantation of a pacemaker for sacral nerve modulation; Specific inclusion criteria for "watch and wait" patients:; Rectum/colon cancer patients treated with organ-preserving treatment, i.e., chemotherapy and radiotherapy with a complete clinical and radiological response at a minimum of 12 months posttreatment.
Exclusion: Participation in concomitant clinical trial; Connective tissue disorders; Parkinson's disease; Allergic to latex; Known intestinal obstruction, significant intestinal strictures or perforation. If in doubt about intestinal stricture, the patient will be examined with MRI of the small intestine, colonoscopy or other supplementing examination; Disorders of swallowing; History of anastomotic leakage following rectal resection and sphincter preserving therapy; Evidens of local recurrence or dessimination of the cancer; General exclusion criteria; Persons that are not able to understand information; Non-MRI compatible pacemaker, clips or other metal objects in the body. Patients implanted with a pacemaker for sacral nerve modulation will not undergo MRI postoperatively; Piercings that cannot be removed before MRI; Claustrophobia; Abdominal diameter equal or more than 140 cm; Have other individual factors, in the opinion of the physician/healthcare professional, in which participating is contraindicated; Pregnant women; Specific exclusion criterias for LARS patients.