The benefit of preoperative combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy to perform sphincter-preserving surgery for patients with locally advanced distal rectal cancer is not supported by findings from randomized, controlled trials. These findings have, however, now been questioned by a study that supports the prospect of a tailored surgical approach to rectal-cancer treatment on the basis of tumor behavior after neoadjuvant treatment.
- Vincenzo Valentini
- Francesco Cellini
