The role of tissue diagnosis prior to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer

Abstract

Aim: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer, with diagnostic work-up routinely including a biopsy confirming invasive carcinoma. For the occasional patient where initial biopsies reveal only dysplasia, or even normal epithelium, repeat biopsy is currently advised, but this may delay therapy and repeat biopsy has potential adverse effects. The study aimed to determine, in the setting of clinical findings and imaging demonstrating locally advanced rectal cancer, whether the absence of a tissue diagnosis prior to commencing chemoradiation compromises patient outcome. Method: A review was conducted of our database, including comprehensive treatme..