Aggressive surgical management of locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer

Abstract

Patients with locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer without gross evidence of extrapelvic cancer represent a complex challenge to the surgeon. In selected patients, radical incontinuity resection or resection combined with radical radiation therapy offers a high likelihood of local tumor control and, to a lesser degree, the possibility of cure. This article defines current approaches to the aggressive management of such patients and investigative strategies for the future.