title: Present laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in Japan.
abstract: In many clinical studies, laparoscopic surgery (LS) for colon cancer has been shown to be less invasive than open surgery (OS) while maintaining similar safety. Furthermore, there are no significant differences between LS and OS in long-term outcomes. Thus, LS has been accepted as one of the standard treatments for colon cancer. In the treatments of rectal cancer as well, LS has achieved favorable outcomes, with many reports showing long-term outcomes comparable to those of OS. Furthermore, the magnification in laparoscopy improves visualization in the pelvic cavity and facilitates precise manipulation, as well as providing excellent educational effects. For these reasons, rectal cancer has seemed to be well indicated for LS, as has been colon cancer. The indication for LS in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer, which is relatively unresectable (e.g., cancer invading other organs), remains an open issue. In recent years, new techniques such as single-port and robotic surgery have begun to be introduced for LS. Presently, various clinical studies in our country as well as in most Western countries have demonstrated that LS, with these new techniques, are gradually showing long-term outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Takeo Sato, Masahiko Watanabe, Department of Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Takeo Sato, Masahiko Watanabe, Department of Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
keywords: Colectomy; Colorectal cancer; Laparoscopic surgery; Randomized controlled trial; Robotic surgery; Single-port surgery; Total mesorectal excision