The surgeon’s perspective on neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer

Abstract

Pre-operative chemo-radiation has become standard practice in the treatment of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Indeed, in much of Europe and in the United States, pre-operative chemoradiation has been recommended as a standard of care for patients with clinical stage II and stage III rectal cancer. However, management philosophies for rectal cancer have evolved independently in different countries, with a number of varying approaches developing worldwide. The aim of this chapter is to review current practice and to provide an algorithm for the management of such patients.