Transanal minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer

Due to the increased uptake of rectal cancer screening and the increasing rates of complete clinical response to chemoradiotherapy, more early-stage and down-staged rectal cancers are being treated. This has triggered surgeons to question the necessity for proctectomy and its associated morbidity and consider local excision and organ preservation in selected cases. Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) has evolved as an oncologically safe yet cost-effective platform for local excision of rectal tumors using traditional laparoscopic instruments. This review highlights the recent advances and current role of TAMIS in the treatment of rectal cancer.