Navigation-assisted Surgery

In some surgical disciplines, navigation-assisted surgery has become standard of care, but in rectal cancer, indications for navigation and the utility of different technologies remain undetermined.

The NAVI-LARRC prospective study (NCT 04512937; IDEAL Stage 2a) evaluated feasibility of navigation in patients with locally advanced primary (LARC) and recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC). Included patients had advanced tumours with high risk of incomplete (R1/R2) resection, and navigation was considered likely to improve the probability of complete resection (R0). 

Locally advanced rectal cancer-exfoliated peritoneal tumor cells

Can molecular detection of exfoliated peritoneal tumor cells be used as a prognostic factor after resection?

The main cause of mortality in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is metastatic progression. During tumor growth, and possibly by manipulation during surgery, cells from rectal tumors may be shed into the peritoneal cavity. Exfoliation of tumor cells, spontaneously and/or after surgical manipulation of the tumor, has been hypothesized as a potential mechanism for development of local recurrence and peritoneal carcinomatosis.