Neoadjuvant Treatment In Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Evolving Treatment Paradigms

Abstract

Rectal cancer is a common cause of public health burden worldwide. In India, majority of rectal cancers continue to present in locoregionally advanced stage, needing multidisciplinary management in comprehensive cancer centres. Treatment of locoregionally advanced rectal cancers has shifted from surgery based management to neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery and adjuvant therapy. Newer approaches in management include integrating neoadjuvant chemotherapy into the treatment algorithm in order to maximise long term survival outcomes, and exploring non surgical and organ conserving approaches in rectal cancer.