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
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.
Patients operated for rectal cancer with a rectal resection and sphincter preserving surgery at a minimum of three months postop.
Persons that are not able to understand information
Connective tissue disorders
Parkinson's disease
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.
Aalborg University Hospital
Lead sponsor
Aarhus University Hospital
Collaborator
Danish Cancer Society
Collaborator
Vejle Hospital
Collaborator