A patient of rectal carcinoma found to have tumor invading through the muscularis propria into the perirectal tissues, and two enlarged lymph nodes. How will you manage the patient?: (A) Surgery only, (B) Surgery + Adjuvant chemotherapy, (C) Preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgical resection, (D) Palliative chemoradiation
Answer is C. Stage of rectal cancer in the given scenario- Tumor invading through the muscularis propria into the perirectal tissues- T3 Two enlarged lymph nodes- N1b Thus, making it stage 3 Management of rectal cancer according to its stage- Stage Management Tis Polypectomy I Segmental resection II Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection III Preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgical resection IV Palliation, metastatectomy