J-Pouch Coloanal Anastomosis Compared With Side-to-End Coloanal Anastomosis After Radiation Therapy and Surgery to Remove the Rectum in Treating Patients With Rectal Adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES: Primary * Compare functional outcome in patients with mid- or distal rectal adenocarcinoma when treated with J-pouch coloanal anastomosis vs side-to-end coloanal anastomosis after preoperative radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision. Secondary * Compare the quality of life of patients treated with these procedures. * Compare anorectal function in patients treated with these procedures. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to participating center and gender. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients undergo total mesorectal excision followed by a J-pouch coloanal anastomosis. * Arm II: Patients undergo total mesorectal excision followed by a side-to-end coloanal anastomosis. In both arms, patients receive a temporary ileostomy. The ileostomy is closed after 1 week provided recovery is uneventful and no radiological signs of anastomotic leakage are detected. If early closure is not possible, the ileostomy is closed after 6-8 weeks. Functional outcome, quality of life, and anorectal function are assessed before surgery and at 4 and 12 months after surgery. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A minimum of 100 patients (50 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study.