Is Radical Resection Necessary for ypT2 Rectal Cancer? Local Recurrence after Local Excision

Abstract Purpose: Downstaging following neoadjuvant therapy has prompted interest in organ preservation for rectal cancer. Questions remain regarding the adequacy of care when residual disease is confined to the rectal wall (ypT2). Some advocate radical resection (RR) in all such cases. We hypothesize that if cancer is confined to the muscular wall after neoadjuvant therapy, full-thickness local excision (FTLE) may serve as definitive treatment.