In 2005, an estimated 40,340 new cases of rectal cancer will occur in the U.S., and experts estimate that during the same year, 56,290 people will die of rectal and colon cancer. As with colon cancer, however, mortality from rectal cancer has also decreased over the past 30 years. The NCCN Rectal Cancer Panel believes a multidisciplinary approach is necessary for effectively managing rectal cancer, an approach detailed here.
For the most recent version of the guidelines, please visit NCCN.org