[Expansion of the indications for surgery in neglected rectal cancer]

Radical surgery was performed in 971 (86.0%) cases of rectal cancer, while palliative resection or extirpation of the rectum--in 158 (14.0%). The postoperative lethality rates were 5.8 and 11.4%, respectively. Sixty-seven patients aged 60 and more underwent palliative resection or extirpation, with eight (11.9%) fatalities occurring shortly after treatment. The postoperative lethality rate was 8.8% in cases of exploratory laparotomy and symptomatic surgery, reaching 15.3% in a group of patients aged 60 years and more. It is inferred that palliative resection, extirpation and palliative combined surgery are justified in treatment advanced rectal cancer whatever patient's age.