Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy With Cetuximab in Rectal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the rectum * Distal margin of tumor located from 0 to 8 cm from anal verge * Stage T3/T4 ± N+ by MRI ± endorectal ultrasonography * ECOG performance status 0-2 * No prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy to pelvis, immunotherapy, and EGFR pathway targeting therapy * Adequate organ functions * Patients must sign the informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Malignant disease of the rectum other than adenocarcinoma or arisen from chronic inflammatory bowel disease * Any defined hereditary colorectal cancer * Any unresected synchronous colon cancer * R0 resection of tumor is not clinically possible * Any distant metastasis * Intestinal obstruction or impending obstruction, but decompressing colostomy is permitted * Any previous or concurrent malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer or in situ cancer of uterine cervix * Any other morbidity or situation with contraindication for chemoradiotherapy * Patients with history of significant gastric or small bowel resection, or malabsorption syndrome, or other lack of integrity of the upper gastrointestinal tract that may compromise the absorption of capecitabine * History of severe pulmonary disease * Pregnant or lactating women or patients of childbearing potential not predicting adequate contraception