Localised rectal cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

This clinical practice guideline offers a detailed roadmap for diagnosing, treating, and following up on localized rectal cancer, emphasizing personalized strategies based on individual patient characteristics and tumor features. The guideline covers everything from initial screening and diagnosis to various treatment options including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, with specific recommendations for different tumor stages and risk profiles. It also highlights the importance of multidisciplinary team involvement and shared decision-making with patients.

Several authors reported various financial disclosures, including advisory board positions, consulting fees, and research funding from pharmaceutical companies involved in cancer treatment. These are listed in the disclosure section.

This ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline provides detailed and evidence-based recommendations for managing localized rectal cancer. It consolidates current best practices and addresses key aspects of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. While generally well-constructed, it's important to acknowledge the potential influence of industry relationships disclosed by several authors.