The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Rectal Cancer

Abstract

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) is dedicated to ensuring high-quality patient care by advancing the science, prevention, and management of disorders and diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus. The Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee is composed of society members who are chosen because they have demonstrated expertise in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery. This committee was created to lead international efforts in defining quality care for conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus and to develop clinical practice guidelines based on the best available evidence. Although they are not proscriptive, these guidelines provide information on which decisions can be made and do not dictate a specific form of treatment. These guidelines are intended for the use of all practitioners, health care workers, and patients who desire information about the management of the conditions addressed by the topics covered in these guidelines. These guidelines should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of methods of care reasonably directed toward obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure must be made by the physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Colorectal cancer remains the third most common cancer for both men and women, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States annually. It is projected that 145,600 new colorectal cancer cases will have been diagnosed and an estimated 51,020 deaths from colorectal cancer will have occurred in 2019.1 It is difficult to estimate statistics attributable specifically to rectal cancer because, historically, much of the reporting for rectal cancer has been combined colon cancer the of the of colorectal cancer has the because of and the to a of patients in the of rectal cancer has been to rectal cancer by in and an to that patients rectal cancer care a the a to develop the in Rectal to and a of clinical on clinical and quality regarding rectal rectal cancer management in the guidelines presented must be that and a of the for the care of patients rectal Colorectal cancer and of to the management of patients rectal are of the of these guidelines and are addressed in on colorectal and is These guidelines are based on the of Practice for the of Rectal in of and the of was from for of the of the to clinical was the from in The for 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