he 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 (CPG) 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 develop CPG based on the best available evidence.Although 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 considering all the circumstances presented by the individual patient.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMColorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. 1 Approximately 30% of these cancers will originate in the rectum, and the American Cancer Society estimated a total of 44,850 new rectal cancer diagnoses in the United States for 2022. 2 Adenocarcinoma of the rectum is inherently complex. Surgery for rectal cancer is technically challenging and is associated with major alterations in GI, urinary, and sexual functions and with decreased quality of life. [3][4][5] The treatment of rectal cancer is also rapidly evolving, with new data emerging on a regular basis.In 2020, the ASCRS published its most recent CPG for rectal cancer. 6 This was a comprehensive assessment covering a wide spectrum of topics. Since then, there have been Earn continuing medical education (CME) credit online at cme.lww. com. This activity has been approved for AMA PRA category 1 credit.Funding/Support: None reported.