New Horizons in Rectal Cancer Management

Rodrigo Oliva Perez, MD, PhD

Management of rectal cancer has become increasingly complex over the last few decades. Colorectal surgeons are currently faced with a multitude of issues in medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, molecular biology, and radiology that are all crucial to the successful outcomes of each patient.

All clinical steps during management of these patients—baseline assessment, choice of neoadjuvant strategy, the timing for reassessment, tools in reassessment, and final treatment strategy—are complex and multidisciplinary, often with the surgeon playing a key role in orchestrating all players in harmony.

Here, we have gathered a few of the very best experts in each field that are relevant to the management of this disease in an attempt to provide a truly complete reference to the readership of the current challenges and available data in what constitutes the modern management of rectal cancer.

I hope this volume will help many colorectal surgeons, in the middle of hurricanes, with patients with rectal cancer and their particular challenges, to become true maestros of their orchestras, and provide the best of care in the multidisciplinary treatment of rectal cancer.

I am deeply grateful to all contributors for their effort and for taking time out of their busy daily activities in providing first class information to this volume. I would like to particularly thank Prof. Habr-Gama, for being a real mentor; Dr. São Julião who helped me in every step of the way. Finally, a big “thank you” to Dr. Scott Steele who has provided me with the opportunity to guest edit the present volume, on my favorite subject. I will always remember the quote “Dominate the Day” as truly inspirational.