Gaya Spolverato, Quoc Riccardo Bao, Paolo Delrio, Mario Guerrieri, Monica Ortenzi, Nicola Cillara, Angelo Restivo, Simona Deidda, Antonino Spinelli, Carmela Romano, Francesco Bianco, Giacomo Sarzo, Emilio Morpurgo, Claudio Belluco, Elisa Palazzari, Giuditta Chiloiro, Elisa Meldolesi, Claudio Coco, Donato Paolo Pafundi, Cosimo Feleppa, Carlo Aschele, Michele Bonomo, Andrea Muratore, Alfredo Mellano, Germana Chiaulon, Filippo Crimì, Isacco Maretto, Alessandro Perin, Emanuele Damiano Luca Urso, Marco Scarpa, Mariasole Bigon, Federico Scognamiglio, Francesca Bergamo, Paola Del Bianco, Maria Antonietta Gambacorta, Daniela Rega, Salvatore Pucciarelli
BACKGROUND: Rectal-sparing approaches for patients with rectal cancer who achieved a complete or major response following neoadjuvant therapy constitute a paradigm of a potential shift in the management of patients with rectal cancer, however their role remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of rectal-sparing approaches to preserve the rectum without impairing the outcomes. METHODS: This prospective, multicentre, observational study investigated the outcomes of patients with clinical stage II-III mid-low rectal adenocarcinoma treated with any neoadjuvant therapy, and either transanal local excision or watch-and-wait approach, based on tumor response (major or complete) and patient/surgeon choice...
March 21, 2024: International Journal of Surgery