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Chemoradiation for localized rectal cancer: Neoadjuvant versus adjuvant approaches

  • Published:
Current Colorectal Cancer Reports

Abstract

For many years, adjuvant postoperative chemotherapy and radiation has been the standard of care in the United States for patients with T3, T4, or node-positive rectal cancer. Preoperative chemoradiation has generally been reserved for situations in which a response to therapy would allow for sphincter-preserving surgery. Recent data support the use of chemoradiation in the preoperative setting, demonstrating improvements in tumor downstaging, treatment toxicity, rate of sphincter-preserving surgery, and pelvic recurrence.

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  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street,Yawkey 7E-7200, 02114, Boston, MA, USA

    Lawrence S. Blaszkowsky MD

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Blaszkowsky, L.S. Chemoradiation for localized rectal cancer: Neoadjuvant versus adjuvant approaches. Curr colorectal cancer rep 1, 51–57 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-005-0016-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-005-0016-1

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