Neoadjuvant (pre-operative) radiation or chemotherapy and radiation therapy are sometimes undertaken in patients who have rectal cancer approaching the anal spicter in an attempt to preserve the function of the anal spincter. This approach may result is reduction in the size of the tumor making it possible for the surgeon to preserve the anal spincter while doing the surgical resection. Neoadjuvant (pre-operative) therapy may also be undertaken in some patients who present with locally advanced rectal cancer. In these patients surgical resection may be impossible without the use of neoadjuvant therapy. In majority of patients who receive neoadjuvant therapy for this indication the tumor may decrease in size to a level where surgical resection is possible.
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