title: Randomized clinical trials in rectal and anal cancers.
abstract: This article reviews randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published between April 2001 and November 2008 on the management of patients with rectal cancer. In total, the authors reviewed 78 RCTs on therapy for rectal cancer. Of these, five met the authors' criteria for level 1a evidence. The article discusses the major RCTs and relevant findings that have impacted clinical management most and includes most but not all RCTs on therapy for rectal cancer published during this period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Heather B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Neuman
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Weiser
authors.forename: W Douglas
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*