Patients with rectal cancer who have a complete clinical response (cCR) or major clinical response (mCR) after neoadjuvant therapy may be candidates for rectum-sparing management. A new study called reSARCh is investigating this approach, with promising initial results showing 85% organ preservation at 13.5 months. Patients who achieved cCR opted for watch and wait or local excision, while those with mCR underwent local excision. Some patients required total mesorectal excision due to disease severity. Further studies are needed to determine long-term outcomes and define clinical response criteria. A national registry of patients undergoing rectum-sparing approaches in Italy is being created.
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Rectum-Sparing Approach Appropriate for Many Patients After Neoadjuvant Therapy
