RECTAL CANCER OF THE MIDDLE AND LOWER THIRD: A COMPARISON BETWEEN CHEMORADIOTHERAPY TREATMENT AND SURGERY AND THE “WATCH AND WAIT” METHOD IN A SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL IN THE WEST OF PARANÁ

Abstract

Rectal cancer involves tumors extending up to 15 cm distally from the anal margin, with adenocarcinoma being the main histological type. Screening through colonoscopy is an important tool for early diagnosis, in the still curable phase of the disease, and TNM staging is essential to direct treatment. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision is considered the standard therapy for rectal tumors. However, the “watch and wait” method has become a viable alternative for patients who achieve complete pathological response after neoadjuvant therapy, and has been widely disseminated in medical practice. The study presents itself as a qualitative and exploratory study, in which the medical records of cancer patients with rectal tumors submitted to both treatments will be evaluated in order to compare the benefits of each therapy. The objective is to compare the prognosis of patients submitted to the “watch and wat” protocol and surgery, in addition to analyzing the recurrence rates, relating the stage of the cancer to the best and most effective therapeutic method.