Evidence and research in rectal cancer.
The main evidences of epidemiology, diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and follow-up are reviewed to optimize the routine treatment of rectal cancer according to a multidisciplinary approach. This paper reports on the knowledge shared between different specialists involved in the design and management of the multidisciplinary ESTRO Teaching Course on Rectal Cancer. The scenario of ongoing research is also addressed. In this time of changing treatments, it clearly appears that a common standard for large heterogeneous patient groups have to be substituted by more individualised therapies based on clinical-pathological features and very soon on molecular and genetic markers. Only trained multidisciplinary teams can face this new challenge and tailor the treatments according to the best scientific evidence for each patient.
Valentini
Vincenzo
V
Department of Radiation Oncology, Università Cattolica S.Cuore, Rome, Italy. vvalentini@rm.unicatt.it
Beets-Tan
Regina
R
Borras
Josep M
JM
Krivokapić
Zoran
Z
Leer
Jan Willem
JW
Påhlman
Lars
L
Rödel
Claus
C
Schmoll
Hans Joachim
HJ
Scott
Nigel
N
Velde
Cornelius Van de
CV
Verfaillie
Christine
C
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors