Localized rectal adenocarcinoma responds well to 5-fluorouracil/radiation-based therapy. Willett et al. present the case of a 55-year-old woman who was diagnosed with extensive and locally invasive carcinoma of the rectum and received bevacizumab in combination with chemoradiotherapy. Upon completion of neoadjuvant therapy, the patient underwent abdominoperineal resection with posterior vaginectomy, hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The authors discuss the complete response seen in this patient and insights into the application and clinical management of using anti-VEGF therapy with chemoradiation.
- Christopher G Willett
- Dan G Duda
- Rakesh K Jain