Published online Jan 14, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i2.467
Peer-review started: April 23, 2015
First decision: July 20, 2015
Revised: August 13, 2015
Accepted: October 23, 2015
Article in press: October 26, 2015
Published online: January 14, 2016
Processing time: 259 Days and 0.6 Hours
Complete response to chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer is becoming a common clinical entity. Techniques to diagnose complete response and how to survey these patients without operative intervention are still unclear. We review the most recent evidence. Barriers to firm conclusions regarding this are heterogeneity of diagnostic definitions, differing surveillance protocols, and a lack of randomised studies.
Core tip: The management of rectal cancer has changed considerably over the last 15 years. Here we summarise the need for consensus on the definition of complete response of rectal cancer to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy prior to surgery, the problems associated with with heterogenous treatment programs and the need for randomised evidence.