Randomized trial data support the use of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer; however, such evidence was lacking for rectal cancer. Now, the COLOR II randomized trial gives minimally invasive resection of rectal cancer the 'green light', answering the question 'should laparoscopic surgery be used?' The new key question is 'who should be performing laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer?'
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The author would like to acknowledge Dr Nadav Haim and Dr Isacco Montroni for their assistance with the preparation of this article for publication.
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S.D.W. declares potential royalties for inventor's income from Covidien and Karl Storz. S.D.W. has also acted as a consultant for and received consulting fees from Karl Storz.
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Wexner, S. Green light given for laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 12, 375–376 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2015.100
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2015.100
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