Treatment strategies for locally recurrent rectal cancer

Abstract

The evolution of rectal cancer treatment over the last two decades including advances in surgical technique (total mesorectal excision) [1], the advent of pre-operative MRI staging [2], and judicious use of neoadjuvant therapy [3] has resulted in a significant reduction in local recurrence of approximately 5–10% [4–6]. However, the effects of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) can be devastating, with a median survival of approximately 8 months and a multitude of distressing symptoms including pelvic pain, rectal bleeding and mucous discharge, all of which can adversely affect a patient's quality of life [7,8].