| Theme |
Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer : An Update |
| Title |
Preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer |
| Author |
Soichiro Ishihara |
Department of Surgery, Teikyo University |
| Author |
Toshiaki Watanabe |
Department of Surgery, Teikyo University |
| [ Summary ] |
Preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer has been shown to reduce postoperative locoregional recurrence. However, whether it improves patient survival or increase the rate of sphincter─preserving surgery is still controversial. Recent advances in chemotherapy for colorectal cancer have been shown to enhance the local control of rectal cancer treated concomitantly with preoperative radiotherapy. The impact of new chemotherapeutic agents or regimens on survival as well as sphincter preservation remains to be seen. Responses to preoperative chemotherapy vary among patients, from pathological complete response to almost no change, and the conservative therapy for cases with complete response or the omission of potentially harmful chemoradiotherapy for cases predicted not to respond may be possible in the future. |