title: Randomized clinical trials in rectal and anal cancer.
abstract: Treatment of rectal cancer has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Radical surgery alone for resectable rectal cancer has been replaced by combined modality therapy. Interest in optimizing sphincter preservation and quality of life motivated surgeons to seek less radical surgery without compromising oncologic principles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Aviram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nissan
authors.forename: Michael I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Dangelica
authors.forename: Margo C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Shoup
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hartley
mesh_terms: D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*