Guidelines of Onkopedia: What Is New? Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Abstract

This article briefly summarizes clinically relevant new aspects of the recently published German, Austrian, and Swiss Onkopedia guideline for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. Main aspects comprise (i) the use of total neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancers with high-risk features, (ii) treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with a low risk for local recurrence, (iii) immunotherapy using dostarlimab in patients with MSI high/dMMR rectal cancer, as well as (iv) the implementation of organ sparing treatment concepts. The availability of several evidence-based treatment options requires intensive discussion within the multidisciplinary team as well as dedicated information for patients about treatment goals, options, and risks of individual treatment approaches.

Keywords: Immunotherapy; Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; Radiochemotherapy; Rectal cancer; Total neoadjuvant therapy.