Interdisciplinary Spanish consensus on a watch-and-wait approach for rectal cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

• Watch-and-wait is a novel strategy for rectal cancer management after neoadjuvant therapy.
• A complete clinical response (cCR) is the primary criterion for this approach.
• Standardization is needed to ensure consistent application of the watch-and-wait strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a consensus on the watch-and-wait approach for rectal cancer.
• To define criteria for patient selection and response assessment.
• To outline surveillance protocols for patients managed with watch-and-wait.

Main Methods:

• Consensus development involving multiple Spanish medical societies.
• Review of treatment schemes and evaluation timing for cCR.
• Focus on oncologic outcomes and surveillance protocols.

Main Results:

• The consensus addresses patient selection for watch-and-wait.
• It details methods for evaluating clinical complete response.
• It includes recommendations for oncologic outcomes and surveillance.

Conclusions:

• The watch-and-wait approach requires standardized protocols for optimal implementation.
• This consensus provides a framework for managing rectal cancer patients achieving cCR.
• Standardized surveillance is crucial for long-term oncologic safety.