Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer of the Rectum: A European Approach

Multidisciplinary treatment for rectal cancer was developed in the 1950s. In Europe preoperative radiotherapy was the main focus of study. In the United States, postoperative radiotherapy was preferred for many years. Advances were made through the use of randomized clinical trials, standardized restorative surgery, and more accurate preoperative staging by MRI.