Rectal Cancer Watch and Wait Approach: A Promising Rectal Salvaging Strategy

Abstract

1.1. Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with rectal cancer being the 10th fatal cancer. The current recommended treatment for locally-advanced rectal cancer is neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, with surgical resection carrying significant postoperative morbidity (intestinal, sexual, urinary) and a negative effect on the quality of life. A newly developed strategy is ‘watch and wait approach’ that renounces surgical resection in the setting of complete clinical response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy only with regular follow ups