title: Nonoperative management of rectal cancer.
abstract: Surgery has long been the primary curative modality for localized rectal cancer. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation has significantly improved local control rates and, in a significant minority, eradicated all disease. Patients who achieve a pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant therapy have an excellent prognosis, although the combination treatment is associated with long-term morbidity. Because of this, a nonoperative management (NOM) strategy has been pursued to preserve sphincter function in select patients. Clinical and radiographic findings are used to identify patients achieving a clinical complete response to chemoradiation, and they are then followed with intensive surveillance. Incomplete, nonresponding and those demonstrating local progression are referred for salvage with standard surgery. Habr-Gama and colleagues have published extensively on this treatment strategy and have laid the groundwork for this approach. This watch-and-wait strategy has evolved over time, and several groups have now reported their results, including recent prospective experiences. Although initial results appear promising, several significant challenges remain for NOM of rectal cancer. Further study is warranted before routine implementation in the clinic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Jordan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Torok
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palta
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Willett
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Czito
mesh_terms: D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D057832:Watchful Waiting
keywords: neoadjuvant therapy; nonoperative; radiation therapy; rectal cancer; watchful waiting