title: Surgical treatment of rectal cancer: radical resection.
abstract: Currently, surgery is the only potentially curative treatment modality for rectal cancer. The major goals of surgery for rectal cancer are to optimize oncologic outcome and maintain anorectal and genitourinary function. This article reviews the surgical management of primary rectal cancer and discusses major surgical considerations in the treatment of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Colorectal Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Room C-1077, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Seung-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Chessin
authors.forename: Jose G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Guillem
mesh_terms: D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008643:Mesentery / Q000601:surgery*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*