Advances for achieving a pathological complete response for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. Issue 1 (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cui, Jian; Fang, Hui; Zhang, Lin; Wu, Yun-Long; Zhang, Hai-Zeng
• Is Part Of: Chronic diseases and translational medicine. Volume 2:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Rectal cancer -- Neoadjuvant therapy -- Pathological complete response -- Local excision -- Wait and see; Chronic diseases -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Chronic diseases; Medicine -- Research; Chronic Disease; Translational Medical Research; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodical; 616.044
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cdtm.2016.06.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2095-882X

Abstract

Abstract: Neoadjuvant therapy has become the standard of care for locally advanced mid-low rectal cancer. Pathological complete response (pCR) can be achieved in 12%–38% of patients. Patients with pCR have the most favorable long-term outcomes. Intensifying neoadjuvant therapy and extending the interval between termination of neoadjuvant treatment and surgery may increase the pCR rate. Growing evidence has raised the issue of whether local excision or observation rather than radical surgery is an alternative for patients who achieve a clinical complete response after neoadjuvant therapy. Herein, we highlight many of the advances and resultant controversies that are likely to dominate the research agenda for pCR of rectal cancer in the modern era.