title: [What will determine the first-line treatment of a patient with rectal cancer?].
abstract: Treatment of a rectal cancer patient is devised by a multidisciplinary expert team. The first thing to be solved is whether a curative treatment, one slowing the progression of the disease, or a symptomatic treatment is aimed at. The extent of the disease is assessed by using whole body CT scan and MR imaging of the rectum. When aiming at curative treatment, the need for preoperative radiation therapy and the surgical technique is assessed on the basis of MRI and clinical examination. The patient's physical condition, associated diseases or pelvic radiotherapy previously applied due to other diseases may restrict the choice of treatment. In an advanced disease, cytostatic chemotherapy is usually the first-line therapy, unless the tumor is obstructing the bowel.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lepistö
authors.forename: Mauri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kouri
authors.forename: Ritja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Savolainen
authors.forename: Ari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ristimäki
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003657:Decision Making; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*