Watch and wait approach to rectal cancer: A review

Table 1 Watch and wait protocol surveillance schedule (adapted from Habr-Gama et al[10])

Assessment of complete response	Initial assessment	First year	Second year	Third year and after
DRE	10 wk	Every 1-2 mo	Every 3 mo	Every 6 mo
CEA	10 wk	Every 1-2 mo	Every 3 mo	Every 6 mo
Endoscopic assessment	10 wk	Every 1-2 mo	Every 3 mo	Every 6 mo
MRI	10 wk	If 1st assessment normal with cCR, then every 6 mo	Every 6 mo	Every 6 mo

DRE: Digital rectal examination; CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; cCR: Clinical complete response.