Guidelines: onkopedia - what´s new? Locally advanced rectal cancer.

Abstract

This article briefly summarizes clinically relevant new aspects of the recently published German, Austrian and Swiss onkopedia guideline for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. Main aspects comprise (i) the use of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) for rectal cancers with high risk features, (ii) treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patient with a low risk for local recurrence, (iii) immunotherapy using dostarlimab in patients with MSI high /dMMR rectal cancer as well as (iv) intended organ preservation as a treatment goal. The availability of several evidence-based treatment options requires intensive discussion within the multidisciplinary team as well as dedicated information for patients about treatment goals, options and risks of individual treatment approaches.