Surgical treatment of benign, myomatous rectal tumors

Between 1972 and 1990, 36 patients with leiomyoma of the rectum underwent surgery at the Proctology Institute (Moscow). There were 13 male (36.1 percent) and 23 female (63.9 percent) patients. Their median age was 52.1 years. Electroexcision of the tumors measuring below 1 cm was performed through the endoscope in 12 patients. Leiomyomas with a diameter of 2.5 to 5 cm were removed transanally in 10 patients. Six patients underwent excision of the tumor through the pararectal approach, whereas leiomyomas located in the rectovaginal wall were removed through the vagina in one patient. Abdominoperineal extirpation and abdominoanal resection of the rectum was performed in seven patients with tumors measuring from 8 to 20 cm. Recurrences were noted in nine patients after transanal, pararectal, or transvaginal excision of leiomyomas. In seven of them, malignant transformation of the tumor occurred at terms ranging from 9 months to 9.5 years.