Mesorectal Microbiome as a Prognostic Factor in Patients With Rectal Cancer

The equilibrium of intestinal microorganisms is essential for health an imbalance has been associated with an increased risk in the development of different pathologies; including colorectal cancer. Rectal cancer is the third most common neoplasm worldwide and the complete excision of the mesorectum is a major prognostic factor. The identification of microorganisms in the adipose tissue that surrounds the small intestine in inflammatory diseases, together with bacterial alterations found in colonic mucosa and feces in patients with rectal cancer in comparison with healthy individuals indicates that microbiome alteration plays an essential role in pathogenesis. The mesorectal microbiome in rectal cancer patients stills unknown and given its importance in the prognostic of the disease the goal of this study is to identify microbial profiles that allow predicting rectal cancer patients with a poor prognosis.