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Abstract

A number of advances have been made in the adjuvant management of resectable rectal cancer. In patients with clinically resectable disease, pelvic radiation therapy decreases local recurrence and, in the preoperative setting, increases the chance of sphincter preservation. The addition of systemic chemotherapy further enhances local control and improves survival. The potential additional benefits of preoperative radiation therapy (with or without chemotherapy) include enhanced sphincter preservation and less toxicity.

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Minsky, B.D., Köhne, CH., Greco, C. (2001). Neo-adjuvant Therapy. In: Audisio, R.A., Geraghty, J.G., Longo, W.E. (eds) Modern Management of Cancer of the Rectum. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0331-8_5

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