Daniel Rydbeck: Advancing more personalized care for colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer and is increasing among younger people. Daniel Rydbeck’s research investigates if the time between diagnosis and treatment is associated with survival rates, and whether radiation therapy can be an alternative to surgery for certain patients.
DANIEL RYDBECK
Dissertation defense: 17 January 2025 (click for details)
Doctoral thesis: The importance of time in colorectal cancer treatment
Research area: Surgery
Sahlgrenska Academy, The Institute of Clinical Sciences
As a surgeon at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Daniel Rydbeck treats patients with colorectal diseases. His research aims to improve personalized care for patients with colorectal cancer.
Waiting times and survival
What does the research show about waiting times?
“We found that a waiting time of one to two months from diagnosis to treatment was not associated with lower survival rates compared to a waiting time of one month or less. This is important because it can help ease concerns that short delays might negatively impact the prognosis,” says Daniel Rydbeck, who is a doctoral candidate at the Institute of Clinical Sciences.
Radiation without surgery
Another key part of the research focuses on identifying patients who can be treated without surgery after radiation therapy.
“Radiation can cause the tumor to disappear entirely in some rectal cancer patients. For these patients, we have tested a method called ‘Watch and Wait’, where patients are closely monitored, and surgery is performed only in cases of recurrence. Our results suggest that this approach can be safe for selected patients, although longer follow-up is needed.”
A rewarding doctoral journey
What has been enjoyable and rewarding about your doctoral project?
“It has been fulfilling to apply scientific methods to address questions that are important to patients. It has also been gratifying to gain a research education,” says Daniel Rydbeck.
And what has been the most challenging part?
“Writing the thesis itself was more challenging than I had expected, but now, as I approach the end of my doctoral studies, it all feels worth it.”
Text: Jakob Lundberg