Rectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers world-wide. It is also a paradigm for multimodal management, as the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is often necessary to achieve the optimal outcome. Recently, international experts met in Heidelberg, Germany to discuss the latest developments in the management of rectal cancer, including the anatomic and pathologic basis, staging tools, surgical concepts including fast-track surgery and laparoscopic resection, functional outcome after surgery and the role of radio- and chemotherapy. This monograph summarizes this meeting and gives an extensive overview of the current concepts in management of rectal cancer.

​This book provides an up-to-date and detailed overview of diagnostic and management strategies for rectal cancer. It includes chapters focusing on recent diagnostic modalities such as technical advances, the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), immunology, and histopathology, as well as the latest surgical techniques for the management of rectal cancer. It also discusses the role of adjuvant, neo-adjuvant and non-operative approaches. Further, it presents the recent guidelines of prevention and early diagnosis, as well as current and future diagnostic and staging work-up, clearly and concisely, linking each topic to the therapeutic options arising from the staging. A large part of this multifaceted book is devoted to the in-hospital care of rectal cancer patients, from the fast-track procedures and enhanced recovery systems to detailed descriptions of the available surgical techniques, including salvage situations, accidents, complications and their treatment.

The aim of this thesis was to explore the current state of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) in the treatment of rectal cancer. Whilst TAMIS as technique for local excision has been accepted and positively evaluated since the introduction of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) by Gerhard Buess in 1988, advancement of the TAMIS approach further beyond the rectal wall to achieve a radical transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) was first published only in 2010. The perioperative safety of the TAMIS technique for local excision itself has been established over the past decades. Current focus lies in extending the role from benign adenomas and early rectal cancer (T1 limited to the most superficial part of the submucosa) towards local excision of more advanced rectal tumours potentially in combination with (neo)adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in the pursue of organ preservation. For TaTME perioperative safety has not been consistently reproduced at a comparative level as the standard laparoscopic approach and long-term outcomes are scarce and limited to cohort studies. Despite the absence of high-quality evidence supporting the oncologic safety of TAMIS local excision in combination with radiotherapy, various strategies have been already incorporated in institutional practices. Accurate preoperative staging of rectal cancer is of immense importance to offer precise tailored treatment such as organ preservation. Without accurate staging, it can lead to prevent potential under and overtreatment. Multidisciplinary teams rely on the mandatory preoperative MRI to triage patients with rectal cancer in need of neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy. Whilst MRI is excellent to identify enlarged lymph nodes and to determine the growth of the tumour beyond the rectal wall, it underperforms in daily practice to distinguish T1 stage (limited to submucosa) from T2 stage.

This text provides a clear, reproducible, step-by-step guide for each colorectal surgery operation. The format follows that of both a “how to” manual as well as an algorithm-based guide to allow the reader to understand the thought process behind the proposed treatment strategy. Each chapter includes both operative technical details as well as perioperative “tips and tricks” that the authors utilize in the management of these complex surgical patients. In addition, it addresses the optimal “next step” in dealing with more challenging situations such as pregnancy, emergent surgery, the elderly, and the obese patient. Throughout the text, each author provides an ongoing narrative of his/her individual surgical techniques along with color illustrations and diagrams to “personally” take the reader through the crucial steps of the procedure, as well as key points of patient care inherent to that topic. Additionally, where appropriate, links to online or downloadable videos will give the reader an up-front look into technical aspects of traditional straight laparoscopic and hand-assisted minimally invasive surgery, as well as NOTES, transanal, robotic, single incision colectomy and combined laparoscopic-endoscopic resection. Minimally Invasive Approaches to Colon and Rectal Disease: Technique and Best Practices will be of great utility to colorectal, general and oncologic surgeons who want to learn or improve their minimally invasive skills in colorectal surgery. Furthermore, this text will be of particular interest to the surgeons-in-training, and the general and colorectal surgeon who is often called upon to manage a variety of colorectal surgery conditions through a minimally invasive approach.

Similar to the 1st edition, the 2nd edition of Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques for Cancers of the Gastrointestinal Tract provides different approaches for various organs of the gastrointestinal tract. This book provides an updated resource of advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques for patients with GI cancers. It is primarily designed to provide a step-by-step approach of surgical techniques, highlighting key learning points and potential operative pitfalls. The text is largely focused on minimally invasive surgical techniques (laparoscopic and robotic), with new chapters on innovations in gastric cancer surgery including middle gastrectomy, pylorus preserving gastrectomy, and sentinel lymph node dissection. In addition, the text also includes new chapters on single incision surgery for cancers of the GI tract, on advanced instrumentation for trans-anal procedures, and on refined robotic approaches to total mesorectal excision. Chapters are written by experts with extensive experience in new techniques, and are accompanied by companion videos in almost every chapter. The 2nd edition of Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques for Cancers of the Gastrointestinal Tract proves to be a valuable resource for surgeons at all levels of training that are interested in learning new techniques to improve patient satisfaction and cancer outcomes.

​The first edition laid out the foundation with laparoscopic and robotic surgery utilizing the Da Vinci SI platform. Since then, many new advances in equipment and surgical techniques are becoming more popular. This second edition expands upon laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques and robotic surgery with the use of the new Da Vinci XI platform. This book bridges the gap between the practicing community of surgeons and the surgical innovators and provides a foundation for all classic and new techniques in minimally invasive colorectal surgery. By enhancing the surgical toolbox, the surgeon is able to progress from the novice to the master. Rather than describing the entire operative procedure by an individual author, this book compares operative steps of various technical difficulties throughout different chapters, thereby allowing the surgeon to tailor surgery to patient and surgeon`s own comfort level and experience. Chapters are written by a myriad of renowned experts in the field and discuss the major advances in advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic, robotic, and transanal minimally invasive surgical techniques. Great emphasis is placed on transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME), which is dramatically changing the surgical approach to rectal resections. The second edition of Advanced Techniques in Minimally Invasive and Robotic Colorectal Surgery serves as a valuable resource to general surgeons, colon and rectal surgeons, minimally invasive surgeons, as well as residents and fellows.

Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine, Ninth Edition, offers a balanced view of the most current knowledge of cancer science and clinical oncology practice. This all-new edition is the consummate reference source for medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, internists, surgical oncologists, and others who treat cancer patients. A translational perspective throughout, integrating cancer biology with cancer management providing an in depth understanding of the disease An emphasis on multidisciplinary, research-driven patient care to improve outcomes and optimal use of all appropriate therapies Cutting-edge coverage of personalized cancer care, including molecular diagnostics and therapeutics Concise, readable, clinically relevant text with algorithms, guidelines and insight into the use of both conventional and novel drugs Includes free access to the Wiley Digital Edition providing search across the book, the full reference list with web links, illustrations and photographs, and post-publication updates