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Multidisciplinary Management of Rectal Cancer pp 313–323Cite as

Will Adjuvant Chemotherapy Improve Outcome After Preoperative (Chemo) Radiotherapy? Still More Passion than Evidence

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Abstract

Recent data from randomised trials investigating the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy following (chemo)radiotherapy and surgery in rectal cancer are strictly interpreted negative. Thus, the default setting is to not recommend such treatment. However, based on meta- and subgroup analyses as well as incorporation of expert knowledge and experience in this field, it is reasonable to discuss adjuvant chemotherapy with patients having some defined characteristics and involve the patients in a shared decision-making. Studies ongoing will tell whether systemic chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting is a better approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, S-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden

    Peter Nygren & Bengt Glimelius

Authors
  1. Peter Nygren
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  2. Bengt Glimelius
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Correspondence to Bengt Glimelius .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Università Cattolica S Cuore, Rome, Italy

    Vincenzo Valentini

  2. Head, Div. Clinical Oncology Research, University Clinic Halle (Saale), Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany

    Hans-Joachim Schmoll

  3. Department of Surgery, Leiden Univ Med Ctr, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Cornelis J. H. van de Velde

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Nygren, P., Glimelius, B. (2018). Will Adjuvant Chemotherapy Improve Outcome After Preoperative (Chemo) Radiotherapy? Still More Passion than Evidence. In: Valentini, V., Schmoll, HJ., van de Velde, C. (eds) Multidisciplinary Management of Rectal Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43217-5_40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43217-5_40

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43215-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43217-5

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