Despite lifestyle improvements, the incidence of rectal cancer is increasing in industrialised countries. Rapid advances in technology, growing knowledge of the biological history of the disease and closer attention to patients' quality of life after surgery have led to a less invasive approach. In the last 15 years, the surgical approach has shifted from extended resection to sphincter-saving procedures, featuring a multidisciplinary approach and a high level of specialisation. The experienced surgeon can plan and choose the "right treatment for the right patient" only with the support of the radiologist, endoscopist and pathologist (preoperative staging), oncologist and radiotherapist (neoadjuvant therapy), and psychologist and stomatherapist (rehabilitation). In addition, the difficult problems of salvage procedure and the reconstruction of anal sphincter after abdominal resection are explored.
The aim of this book is to clarify the rapid advances and to offer guidelines for doctors dealing with rectal cancer. Taking into account indications, contraindications, risks, benefits and controversies, the authors offer clear and practice-oriented answers for a wide range of specialists and experts, as well as those new to the field.

Despite lifestyle improvements, the incidence of rectal cancer is increasing in industrialized countries. Rapid advances in technology, growing knowledge of the biological history of the disease and closer attention to patients' quality of life after surgery have led to a less invasive approach. In the last 15 years, the surgical approach has shifted from extended resection to sphincter-saving procedures, featuring a multidisciplinary approach and a high level of specialization. In addition, the difficult problems of salvage procedure and the reconstruction of anal sphincter after abdominal resection are explored. This book clarifies the rapid advances and offers guidelines for doctors dealing with rectal cancer. Taking into account indications, contraindications, risks, benefits and controversies, the authors offer clear and practice-oriented answers for a wide range of specialists and experts, as well as those new to the field.

Cap.1 Rectal cancer epidemiology and burden of disease.- Cap. 2 Imaging.- Cap. 3 Preoperative staging: endorectal ultrasound.- Cap. 4 Predictive markers in physiology and anatomy for outcomes in rectal cancer patient.- Cap. 5 Rectal cancer: pathological feature and their relationship to treatment and prognosis.- Cap. 6 TME: how to interpret the favourable results?.- Cap. 7 Lateral pelvic lymph nodes dissection for rectal cancer: an overview.- Cap. 8 Controversial issues in rectal cancer surgery.- Cap. 9 Rectal cancer and quality of life.- Cap. 10 Probiotic and intestinal preparation.- Cap. 11 Indication to local excision in rectal cancer surgery.- Cap. 12 Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery.- Cap. 13 Low anterior resection.- Cap. 14 Actuality of colo-anal procedure.- Cap. 15 Role of colonic reservoir in rectal cancer surgery.- Cap. 16 Functional results of sphincter-preserving operations for rectal cancer.- Cap. 17 Perineal abdominal resection.- Cap. 18 Robotic and laparoscopic surgery for treatment of rectal cancer.- Cap. 19 Rehabilitation after rectal cancer surgery.- Cap. 20 Total anorectal reconstruction with the artificial bowel sphincter.- Cap. 21 Total anorectal reconstruction with dynamic graciloplasty.- Cap. 22 Salvage surgery after recurrence.- Cap. 23 IBD and rectal cancer.- Cap. 24 Multimodality therapy of rectal cancer.- Cap. 25 Adjuvant and postoperative chemotherapy in rectal cancer.- Cap. 26 Modern aspects of radiation oncology for rectal cancer.- Cap. 27 Liver metastases.- Cap. 28 Chemotherapy for metastatic rectal cancer.