Local procedures in the management of rectal cancer

Abstract

Abstract Of 1,134 patients treated for rectal cancer from 1973 to 1985, local therapy was used in 310. Forty‐two underwent local excision and the operative morbidity and mortality were lower than after radical operations. The 5‐year survival rate was 84%. This treatment should be reserved for patients who have totally resectable tumors of 3 cm or less in size and of low histologic grade (1 or 2) . For local palliation, cryosurgery was applied in 268 patients. By use of this low‐risk treatment, a colostomy could be avoided in 80% of patients (mean observation time 2.3 years). The best results were achieved for “small” carcinomas in high‐risk patients (no evidence of disease in 24 of 31 patients). Local palliation by cryosurgery does not influence the prognosis of survival if distant metastases are present .