Lateral margins of resection in adenocarcinoma of the rectum

Wide dissection of adenocarcinoma of the rectum is difficult because of the fixed structure of the anatomic pelvis. The role of lateral margins, excision of the mesorectum, and extended lymphadenectomy have recently received much attention in the literature in dealing surgically with more advanced rectal carcinomas. The basic question to be resolved in the future is whether additional radical surgery is of more benefit than adjuvant chemoradiation therapy in this setting.