Impact of Organ-Preserving Strategies on Anorectal Function in Patients with Distal Rectal Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation

Abstract

Nonoperative management of patients with complete clinical response following chemoradiation results in better anorectal function in comparison with patients with near-complete response managed by transanal endoscopic microsurgery. In the absence of clinically detectable residual cancer, this latter approach may result in significant worsening of anorectal function.