Neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer—A value-based proposition

Over the last decade, the use of neoadjuvant chemo-radiation has been an integral part of the care of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. However, emerging data are beginning to challenge the current treatment paradigm of neoadjuvant chemo-radiation followed by radical resection and subsequent adjuvant chemotherapy. Going forward, the challenge will be to identify patients for whom radiation can be safely omitted and those for whom it can potentially provide added oncologic value. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:304–310.