Saving the sphincter in rectal cancer: are we prepared to change practice?
Total mesorectal excision and preoperative radiation with or without chemotherapy has led to a reduction in local recurrence rates in patients with rectal cancer. This article examines the effect such treatment has on the rate of sphincter preservation in patients with rectal cancers close to the anal sphincter mechanism and looks at the evidence for changing clinical practice.
Wallace
M H
MH
Department of Surgery, West Herts NHS Trust, Watford General Hospital, Watford, UK. marina.wallace@whht.nhs.uk
Glynne-Jones
R
R
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*