Rectal cancer represents the most complex area of multidisciplinary treatment in bowel surgery. In 2017, there were 1221 new rectal cancers in Finland. The prognosis of CRC patients these days is almost exclusively driven by the occurrence of the metastatic form of the disease. In a context of a randomized controlled trial, we will utilize and test a new treatment strategy with state-of-the-art laboratory methods, circulating tumor DNA and patient-specific 3D tumor models, to reduce the risk of recurrence in rectal cancer. We aim to show the feasibility and effectiveness of these novel precision medicine methods in order to expedite such tools into clinical use, and to familiarize clinicians in utilizing the diagnostic technology in their daily practice. Ultimately, these applications will provide accurate treatment selection that is patient-specific based on their individual tumor characteristics and predicted risk.

2021

2025