Advances in multidisciplinary treatment of rectal cancer

Abstract

To summarize the advances in the multidisciplinary treatment of rectal cancer and to analyze the existing problems and development
prospects. The full text database retrieval system of MEDLINE and the periodicals of CHKD were searched. The words “rectal
cancer, diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, analysis” were used as key words for retrieval of
literature concerning the values and clinical significance of rectal cancer multidisciplinary treatment from January, 2000
to December, 2007. Thirty papers were selected, of which 26 were used in analysis at last. Accurate preoperative staging of
rectal cancer is a key factor in the multidisciplinary and comprehensive treatment of patients. A new therapy which is combined
with radical operation can reduce the rate of local recurrence, prolong survival time, and particularly, promote the rate
of sphincter preservation. Radical surgery combined with adjuvant therapy is still recognized as standard treatment modality
for the patients with rectal cancer in stage II-III. Total removal of resectable metastases followed by prompt standard adjuvant
therapy may extend survival time. The introduction of new chemical drugs, drugs of targeting therapy, and a regimen of combination
therapy may improve outcomes in treatment for rectal cancer patients. A treatment standard for rectal cancer patients needs
to be actively pursued. Compared with colon cancer patients, there has not been sufficient evidence to confirm that the total
survival rate of rectal cancer patients after multidisciplinary and comprehensive treatments has been improved; therefore,
it needs to be further studied.