Adjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: results and controversies

During the past decade, advances have been made in the adjuvant treatment of resectable rectal cancer. Postoperative combined-modality therapy significantly improves local control and survival. Recent Inter-group postoperative trials have focused on the identification of optimal chemotherapeutic agents and their method of administration. Preoperative therapy has the potential advantages of producing less acute toxicity and increasing the likelihood of sphincter preservation. New chemotherapeutic agents and radiation techniques are active areas of investigation.