Surgical palliation for recurrent rectal cancers ulcerating in the perineum

This report describes a unique palliative approach of radical surgical debridement for uncontrollable, recurrent pelvic tumors ulcerating through the perineum. All conservative treatment attempts with radiotherapy and chemotherapy had failed. Seven patients have been treated with resection of the tumor including a portion of the sacrum to obtain all but the deep margins clear of tumor. Coverage was obtained with myocutaneous flaps. All patients were significantly relieved of pain, requiring little or no subsequent analgesics. Three patients returned to work and the remainder led a relatively comfortable existence at home until their demise. At the time of death, four patients had no visible perineal disease. When conservative attempts at chemotherapy and radiotherapy have failed in this situation, the authors believe that palliative surgery prolongs both quantity and, more importantly, quality of life.