Outcome in patients with early colorectal carcinoma

Twenty-four patients seen between 1978 and 1990 with early colorectal carcinoma were reviewed to determine the outcome of surgical treatment. The mean age was 62 (range 35-79) years; there were 16 men and eight women. The site of the tumour was the ascending colon in two patients, sigmoid colon in ten and rectum in 12. The polypoid and flat-elevated ulcerated (IIa+IIc) subtypes were detected in 14 and nine lesions respectively. Restorative colectomy was carried out in 19 patients, and five required Mile's operation. There were no postoperative complications or deaths at a mean follow-up of 71 (range 12-151) months. Neither recurrence nor distant metastasis was found during follow-up. There was a close relationship between the depth of submucosal invasion and presence of flat-elevated ulcerated subtype lesions with lymphatic infiltration. This association may play an important role in the mechanism of metastasis. Major surgical resection is probably required if longer disease-free intervals and better cure rates are desired.