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Palliation for rectal cancer. Resection? Anastomosis?
Archives of Surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|June 1, 1987
Summary
Palliative resection for incurable rectal cancer is safe and effective. Surgical interventions, including primary anastomosis and transanal excision, improve quality of life for patients with advanced disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
Background:
- Management of advanced rectal cancer lacks consensus.
- Palliative resection is a potential treatment option for incurable cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of palliative resection in patients with incurable rectal cancer.
- To determine if palliative resection improves quality of life.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 125 patients with incurable rectal cancer undergoing palliative procedures.
- Procedures included various resections (anterior, abdominoperineal, Hartmann's), diverting colostomy, and transanal excision.
- Data collected on postoperative mortality, morbidity, reoperations, and survival.
Main Results:
- Overall postoperative mortality was low (0.8%).
- Postoperative morbidity was 18% for abdominal operations and 0% for local excisions.
- Median survival varied by procedure: 6.4 months (colostomy), 14.8 months (abdominal resections), 14.7 months (transanal excisions).
Conclusions:
- Palliative resection, with or without primary anastomosis, is safe for incurable rectal cancer.
- Local transanal excision is also a safe and viable option.
- Palliative surgical approaches can enhance the quality of life for these patients.