["Inoperable" deep rectal cancer]

Rectal carcinoma usually requires surgery. In 1981-1988 43 (8.5%) of 504 patients were considered inoperable for medical, prognostic or technical reasons. Surgery should take the removal of urogenital organs, if necessary, into consideration. Electrosurgery, cryosurgery and laser surgery can be used to reestablish local passage. Twenty-one pelvic exenterations were performed during 52 operations for tumor recurrence. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were applied when needed. Each therapy must be individualized.