Standard therapy for localized rectal cancer includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy,
followed by a "recovery" period of 7-12 weeks, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for 3-6
months. Even though this protocol achieves high cure rates, many patients need a rectal
amputation with placement of definitive colostomies. About 10-20% of patients have a complete
clinical response to chemo-radiation and no tumor can be found in the surgical specimen.
These patients can be followed with close surveillance and avid surgery. The aim of this
study is to evaluate if a strategy including the use of a highly active chemotherapy called
"FOLFIRINOX" during the 12 weeks between the end of radiation therapy and evaluation for
surgery increases the rates of complete response and, therefore, allows more patients to
undergo non-surgical management.