Neoadjuvant therapy in the post-German rectal trial era: making sense in the absence of consensus.

Abstract

Trimodality therapy per the German Rectal trial has led to excellent locoregional outcomes for locally advanced rectal cancer. Recent efforts have shifted towards improving distant control and health-related quality of life in this disease. To this end, total neoadjuvant therapy has become an increasingly used approach where most, if not all, chemotherapy is delivered prior to surgery to improve compliance and to address micrometastases early. To avoid surgical morbidity, a "watch-and-wait" approach, in which total mesorectal excision is deferred, has also been studied for patients who achieve a clinical complete response after chemoradiation. These two concurrent treatment trends have raised many points of uncertainty in what used to be a relatively straightforward neoadjuvant treatment paradigm. We discuss here our approach to neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer, based on the data we currently have and through shared decision-making with patients to help them select the treatment that best aligns with their preferences and values.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.prro.2022.06.010

View details for PubMedID 35803535