Neoadjuvant Therapy in Rectal Cancer - Biobanking of Preoperative Tumor Biopsies.

Translational research relies on high-quality biospecimens. In patients with rectal cancer treated preoperatively with radiochemotherapy tissue based analyses are challenging. To assess quality challenges we analyzed tissue samples taken over the last years in a multicenter setting.

Stage II/III rectal cancer with intermediate response to preoperative radiochemotherapy: do we have indications for individual risk stratification?

Background: Response to preoperative radiochemotherapy (RCT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer is very heterogeneous. Pathologic complete response (pCR) is accompanied by a favorable outcome. However, most patients show incomplete response.