Recently the investigators have published the findings of a multicenter Italian phase II study showing that the rate of local recurrence, with a 3 year follow-up, is less than 5% in patients with baseline T2-3 mid-low rectal cancer who, after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (pCRT), showed a major clinical response and underwent a transanal local excision. Based on these results, an organ-sparing approach for patients showing a major clinical response is feasible without reducing the good results obtained with the standard treatment. While a phase III trial is the best way to compare the standard treatment with the organ-sparing approach (local excision or wait-and-see) it is impracticable and likely unethical. An observational study is therefore one of the best way to evaluate the impact that an organ-sparing approach may have on oncological outcomes, quality of life, and bowel function for patients with rectal cancer who, after a pCRT, show a clinical major/complete response.