[Cryosurgery in rectal carcinoma--report of 41 cases]

Fourty-one patients with rectal carcinoma treated by cryosurgery in our hospital from 1973 to 1982 are presented. The 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1-year survival rates were 34.1%, 41%, 56%, 66% and 90%, respectively Eighteen patients who underwent radical cryosurgery gave a 5-year survival rate of 66%. The results showed that cryosurgery inhibited the multiplication of cancer cells and improved immune response through observing the changes of DNA content, ultrastructures, anti-bodies (IgG, A, M), T-cell subpopulations (OKT3, OKT4, OKT8) and so on. Cryosurgery could avert colostomy when used for rectal carcinoma.