Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
3rd INTERNATIONAL EGE CONGRESS ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, İzmir, Türkiye, 20 - 22 Aralık 2024, ss.817-828
Introduction and Purpose: Rectal cancer constitutes a significant subset of colorectal
malignancies and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally. Recent
advancements in treatment strategies, such as total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) and the “watchand-
wait” approach, have shown promise in enhancing organ preservation and reducing the
need for surgery. However, the long-term outcomes and optimal criteria for implementing these
strategies remain areas of active investigation in the literature. This study aims to evaluate the
impact of “watch-and-wait” strategy on organ preservation, local recurrence rates, and quality
of life in rectal cancer treatment. By reviewing findings from key clinical trials, the
effectiveness and applicability of these approaches will be critically assessed.
Materials and Methods: Key findings from pivotal studies are reviewed. The efficacy of the
"watch-and-wait" approach were analyzed.
Results: In patients with complete clinical response, non-surgical monitoring enhances quality
of life without compromising overall survival. Approaches such as delaying surgery following
short-course radiotherapy offer more flexible treatment strategies. However, successful
implementation of organ preservation protocols requires careful patient selection and rigorous
follow-up.
Discussion and Conclusion: Personalized approaches in rectal cancer treatment offer
promising prospects for organ preservation and avoidance of surgery. Future research should
explore the broader applicability of these protocols and the role of biomarkers in optimizing
treatment outcomes.
Keywords: Rectal cancer, watch and wait, neoadjuvant therapy, organ preservation