ACR Appropriateness Criteria on resectable rectal cancer: expert panel on radiation oncology--rectal/anal cancer.
In what arguably may be the most pivotal recent trial in the area of resectable rectal cancer management, a randomized trial from Germany has established a regimen of preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgery followed by additional cycles of chemotherapy alone as the standard of care for clinical stages T3 or T4, or for node-positive rectal cancer. Other clinical studies from the United States, Europe, and Asia have also influenced the treatment strategies of operable rectal cancer, as various approaches using preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, have been examined. A summary of the major randomized clinical trials spanning the past several decades is provided.
Suh
W Warren
WW
Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02459, USA. wsuh@lroc.harvard.edu
Blackstock
A William
AW
Herman
Joseph
J
Konski
Andre A
AA
Mohiuddin
Mohammed
M
Poggi
Matthew M
MM
Regine
William F
WF
Cosman
Bard C
BC
Saltz
Leonard
L
Johnstone
Peter A S
PA
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States