Surveillance offers lower stoma rates after local excision of rectal cancer.

A nationwide study involving 3057 patients revealed that after local excision of pT1-2 rectal cancer, locoregional recurrence (LR) rates were 14% for those undergoing surveillance compared to 4% after completion total mesorectal excision (CTME). Notably, 80% of patients with LR in the surveillance group were treated successfully. Furthermore, the risk of needing a stoma was significantly lower—4% after surveillance versus 43% after CTME. Overall disease-free and overall survival rates showed no significant difference.