Table 2:

AJCC TNM Stage and Simplified Treatment Algorithm for Rectal Cancer

Note.—Adapted and reprinted, with permission, from reference 3. CR = chemotherapy and radiation therapy, NCCN = National Comprehensive Cancer Network, TA = transanal, TAB = transabdominal.

*T1 disease may be treated with either TA excision or TAB resection. If a lesion has high-risk features or is restaged to T2, TAB resection is recommended. T2 disease is treated with TAB resection.

^†If tumor is upstaged after resection, treatment with “sandwich regimen” of adjuvant chemotherapy, followed by CR, followed by chemotherapy.

^‡Neoadjuvant treatment may be CR versus chemotherapy followed by CR followed by TAB resection.

^§M1a is considered metastasis confined to one organ or site, excluding the peritoneum.

^||M1b is considered metastasis in more than one organ or site or in the peritoneum.