Villous Tumors of the Lower Part of the Large Bowel

Abstract

With the thought that many noninvasive villous tumors of the large bowel are amenable to conservative treatment (local excision, fulguration, and radium application), 205 cases were studied in which conservative treatment was advocated during the period 1950 through 1963. Conservative treatment was successful (1- to 12-year follow-up) in 98% of 194 cases (1% lost to followup). Examination of surgical specimens from 11 patients treated by radical operation showed that conservative treatment probably would have been adequate, since lesions were confined to the mucosa. Removal from below, either by surgical or thermal means, constitutes safe and adequate treatment for most noninvasive villous tumors of the lower portion of the bowel.