title: Preoperative and adjuvant treatment of localized rectal cancer.
abstract: Although postoperative chemoradiation has a proven role in the treatment of stage II to III localized rectal cancer, recent trials have demonstrated the role of preoperative chemoradiation. A recent randomized trial has shown that preoperative chemoradiation yields higher rates of local control and sphincter preservation and lower rates of toxicity, compared with postoperative chemoradiation. Randomized trials have also shown that preoperative chemoradiation yields higher rates of pathologic complete response and local control, compared with radiotherapy alone. In this article, we review recent trials on preoperative and adjuvant therapy of localized rectal cancer. The roles of newer agents, such as capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab, are also discussed, and other key issues in the treatment of localized rectal cancer are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 97, Houston, TX 77030, USA. PrajDas@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Prajnan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Christopher H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Crane
mesh_terms: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000639:trends; D011300:Preoperative Care; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D013534:Survival
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil