title: Current perspectives on preoperative integrated treatments for locally advanced rectal cancer: a review of agreement and controversies.
abstract: The optimal approach to the diagnosis and treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer involves multidisciplinary, integrated management. In the past 30 years, survival and freedom from disease have increased, but the ideal multidisciplinary management remains to be determined. The preferred integrated treatment modality is preoperative radio(chemo)therapy followed by total mesorectal excision. Certain aspects of this standard are still debated, and the European and American approaches vary. The chief recommendations per international guidelines are summarized, and the next generation of integrated treatments for locally advanced rectal cancer is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Radioterapia Oncologica, Policlinico Universitario Campus BioMedico, Rome, Italy. f.cellini@unicampus.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cellini
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valentini
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*