Rectal Cancer

Rectal Cancer: International Perspectives on Multimodality Management is a timely analysis of the diagnosis, staging, pathology, and therapy of cancer of the rectum. This book is intended as a useful resource for physicians, scientists, medical students, and allied health personnel in the disciplines of radiology, gastroenterology, surgical oncology, medical onc- ogy, radiation oncology, and pathology. Renowned contributors from different medical d- ciplines have written their chapters in a thoughtful, provocative, and visual fashion. Importantly, these chapters highlight the controversies in the diagnostic, staging, and the- peutic management of patients with rectal cancer while providing practical management recommendations. This book is divided into 18 chapters. Early chapters address the diagnosis and staging of rectal cancer, highlighting the critical role of contemporary imaging in guiding treatment. The remaining chapters focus on the multimodality management of rectal cancer from the vantage points of surgery, pathology, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The major dev- opments in surgery are reviewed first, including contemporary roles of local excision, total mesorectal excision, lateral pelvic lymph node dissection, organ preservation approaches, as well as the management of advanced, recurrent, and metastatic disease. Following is a ch- ter describing the pathologic evaluation of rectal cancer specimens, with emphasis on proper methodology and its clinical relevance to overall disease management. The final chapters review the contemporary roles of chemotherapy (including with radiation therapy, adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings without radiation therapy, as well as in metastatic disease) as well as radiation therapy (including adjuvant and neoadjuvant approaches, short vs.

This cutting-edge book delivers state of the art information on the evaluation and management of rectal cancer. Covering the spectrum of clinical management from initial evaluation and staging, to advances and controversies in management, to survivor outcomes, sphincter preservation and quality of life, it is a comprehensive resource for this rapidly changing field. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, radiology, endoscopy, and pathology are fully explored, including the use of both novel and contemporary approaches in each of these disciplines. With examination of clinical trials in the United States and Europe, this book features the unique insights of a cadre of world renowned specialists. Rectal Cancer: International Perspectives on Multimodality Management is an engaging discussion of current and future directions. This book is necessary reading for medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists as well as pathologists, radiologists, and gastroenterologists treating primary, recurrent, and metastatic rectal cancer.