ALL NEW PATIENTS CAN BE EVALUATED WITHIN 24 HOURS!!
RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
TREATING LOCALLY
ADVANCED RECTAL
CANCER
WITHOUT A
COLOSTOMY
HAVE YOU BEEN RECENTLY
DIAGNOSED WITH RECTAL CANCER?
Patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced (T2-T3) adenocarcinoma of the rectum may be eligible for a research protocol aiming at avoiding the need for a colostomy bag.
Rectal Cancer is usually treated by Radiation Therapy combined with Chemotherapy followed by Radical Surgery called Total Mesorectal Excision; removing the whole rectum. A Colostomy is needed; a temporary or permanent artificial opening on the abdomen and results in patients needing a bag to collect stool. Patients dislike this immensely. Other bothersome side effects can occur, including urine flow interference and sexual dysfunction. Even if the colostomy is reversed, patients often suffer from chronic symptoms such as severe diarrhea and stool leakage.
Our group is conducting research aiming at either avoiding surgery altogether or removing only a very small part of the rectum. We hope that this new approach will maintain the same cure rate as the traditional radical surgery but with minimal side effects and without the need for a bag at any point. Not all patients will be suitable for this conservative approach but we invite you to call us for more information.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLING PATIENTS (IN AFFILIATION WITH ASCENSION ST. JOHN HOSPITAL) ON 2 CLINICAL TRIALS:
​
1. Treatment of T2-T3/NO-N+ adenocarcinoma of the rectum with transanal local excision for complete responders.
​
AND
​
2. Treatment of T2-T3/NO-N+ adenocarcinoma of the rectum by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FOLFOX) followed by preoperative chemo (Fluorouracil /Capecitabine)-radiotherapy (CRT) with watchful waiting for complete responders.
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
-
Clinical stage T2N0 (if the cancer is very close to the anus)​, T2N1, T3N0, or T3N1 disease.
-
Cancer is located within 12 cm from the anus.
-
No spread of cancer to other organs.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
We started our research program in 2016, being one of the first in Michigan to investigate the conservative treatment of rectal cancer.
Call us at 1-888-88-NOBAG
​
​
1. Abdalla A, Aref, A. Upfront Chemotherapy Followed by Chemoradiation Remains the
Sequence of Choice for Total Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer. Letter to the editor, JCO, in press.
​
2. Z Zhang, A Abdalla, A Alame, P Mazzara, A Aref. Full Thickness Local Excision After
Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer: How Wide Should the Excision Be? Accepted for presentation at the June 2020 meeting of Society of Colon and Rectum Surgeons.
​
3. A Abdalla, A Aref, A Alame, M Barawi, D Ma, S Szpunar, Z Kafri. Does Response to
Upfront FOLFOX Predict Eventual Clinical and Pathological Response after Completion of Total Neoadjuvant Therapy for Patients Diagnosed with Rectal Cancer? Observations from Phase a II Clinical Trial. Accepted for presentation at the June 2020 meeting of Society of Colon and Rectum Surgeons.
​
4. Abdalla A, Aref A, Alame A, Ma Danny, Barawi M, Szpunar S, Lambert K, Kafri Z.
Clinical Downstaging and Quality of Life After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Interim Analysis From a Phase II Clinical Trial. 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting. J Clinical Oncol 37, 2019 (suppl; abstr e 15178).
​
5. Abdalla A, Aref A, Alame A, Barawi M, Hawasli A, Yakan A. Incidence and Severity of
Postoperative Complications Following Neoadjuvant Therapy and Full-Thickness Local Excision for Moderately Advanced Rectal Cancer. 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting. J Clin Oncol 37,2019 (suppl; abstr e15167).
​
6. Abdalla A, Aref A, Alame A, Barawi M, Ma Danny, Mazzara P, Szpunar S, Kafri Z.
Preliminary Results of a Phase II Clinical Trial: Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Facilitates Organ Preservation for Patients Diagosed with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer. Accepted for presentation at the American Society of Colorectal Surgeons June 2019.
7. Corteville Joshua, Barawi Mohammed, Alame Amer, Leonard Robert, Aref Amr.
Endorectal Ultrasound Examination is Still a Useful Tool for Re-staging of Rectal Cancer After Completion of Neo-Adjuvant Therapy. Accepted for presentation at the American Society of Colorectal Surgeons, June 2019.
​
8. Abdalla Ahmed, Aref A, Alame Amer, Barawi Mohammed, Ma Danny, Kafri Zyad.
Induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation and trans-anal full thickness local excision or total mesorectal Resection in patients with T2-T3/No-N+ Adenocarcinoma of the Rectum; preliminary results of phase 2 prospective clinical trial. Accepted for presentation at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Meeting, March 2019.
​
9. Future Publications...
​
10. Future Publications...
ABOUT US
OUR TEAM
Our multidisciplinary team is led by board certified Radiation Oncologist and Chief of Ascension St. John Radiation Oncology Department, Dr. Amr Aref. Dr. Aref is the principal investigator in our 2 research protocols. Our comprehensive support staff includes our highly skilled Nurses, Oncology Nurse Navigators, Research Team, Surgical Staff, Radiation Therapists, Dietician, Social Workers and Financial Counselor to ensure quality care and peace of mind.
LOCATIONS
3 Metro Detroit Locations to Serve You:
​
North Macomb Radiation Oncology Center
17900 23 Mile Road, Suite 103
Macomb Township, MI 48042
(586) 868-9060
​
VanElslander Cancer Center
Department of Radiation Oncology
19229 Mack Avenue, Suite 10
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
(313) 647-3100
​
St. John Radiation Oncology Institute
1901 Star Batt Drive
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
(248) 844-4079
​
PATIENT FRIENDLY
We are now accepting newly diagnosed patients. No referrals necessary and most insurances are accepted. Appointments are typically available within 1-2 days and our friendly staff can help assist you in obtaining the necessary records for your initial consultation.
CONTACT US
Call 1 (888) 88-NOBAG
or contact one of our offices directly:
(586) 868-9060 (313) 647-3100 (248) 844-4079
Macomb Township Grosse Pointe Woods Rochester Hills
Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm EST
Weekend/After Hours by Special Arrangement