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Assessment of the Rectum and Anus

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Evaluating the rectum and anus plays a crucial role in conducting a thorough physical examination of the gastrointestinal system. Although it may be uncomfortable and often embarrassing for the patient, it holds immense diagnostic value, particularly in detecting gastrointestinal diseases and abnormalities. This guide will explain how to perform this assessment using inspection and palpation methods.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2025

Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer

Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer

Published on: February 12, 2022

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Rectal Cancer, Version 3.2024.

Al B Benson¹, Alan P Venook², Mohamed Adam²

¹Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN

|August 16, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Optimizing rectal cancer treatment involves balancing curative goals with functional outcomes. Recent updates include new options for early-stage disease and nonoperative management for complete responders.

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Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery

Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery

Published on: September 27, 2024

Area of Science:

Oncology
Surgical Oncology
Gastroenterology

Background:

Rectal cancer treatment requires complex decisions balancing curative intent, functional outcomes (bowel/genitourinary), and quality of life.
Distal rectal cancer presents unique challenges in achieving curative therapy with minimal impact on quality of life.
Rectal cancer has a higher risk of pelvic recurrence than colon cancer, with locally recurrent disease associated with poor prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

To detail recent updates to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for Rectal Cancer.
To highlight advancements in treatment strategies for rectal cancer patients.
To inform clinicians on new therapeutic options and management approaches.

Main Methods:

Review of recent clinical trial data and guideline revisions for rectal cancer management.
Inclusion of endoscopic submucosal dissection for early-stage rectal cancer.
Evaluation of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) and nonoperative management (watch-and-wait) strategies.

Main Results:

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is now an option for select early-stage rectal cancers.
Updates to the total neoadjuvant therapy approach are based on recent clinical trial findings.
A nonoperative management approach ('watch-and-wait') is recommended for clinical complete responders to neoadjuvant therapy.

Conclusions:

A multidisciplinary approach with careful patient selection and sequenced multimodality therapy is recommended for rectal cancer.
Recent NCCN guideline updates offer expanded options for early-stage disease and post-neoadjuvant therapy management.
These updates aim to improve treatment efficacy while preserving functional outcomes and quality of life for rectal cancer patients.