Nicolò de Manzini
Editor

2013

Forewords by
Gianluigi Melotti
Christian Meyer

Rectal cancer has become an increasingly common disease in Western countries, largely because of lifestyle and nutritional factors. While mortality has fallen since the 1980s owing to earlier diagnosis and improved therapy, the disease not only continues to pose a threat to survival but also impacts markedly on quality of life. Greater understanding of all aspects of the disease and a full appreciation of the still evolving role of surgery will be essential in achieving further progress.