Have the final results of the OPERA trial changed the way you approach organ preservation in rectal cancer?  

Great question. The OPERA results were certainly promising with 3-year organ preservation rates at 97% for tumors less than 3 centimeters. Patients neither received TME nor doublet chemotherapy (no oxaliplatin). Importantly, it was also the first randomized trial showing a higher dose of radiotherap...

We will undoubtedly begin to develop this treatment further at our center. Centers in the US do not specialize in endorectal contact therapy the way that France in particular has for many decades. The OPERA trial is the climax of work started by Jean Pappion in the 1960s, continued by Prof Gerard in...

The 2022 ASCO abstract is a great jumping-off point, but reviewing the final publication will be essential before making any decisions about changes in practice. Let's re-engage when it is published! May 4, 2023:We're back! Final results are available: Gerard et al., PMID 36801007 

With this update, we need to have a conversation in this specialty about utilizing this excellent treatment option. In a nation that considers itself world-class in terms of cancer care, there are too many excuses for why we can't offer this option to patients and why we have not studied this furthe...