The role of radiation in the distal bowel

Surgical extirpation of the primary tumor with its regional draining lymphatics is the primary treatment of colorectal carcinoma. The outlines of standard therapy are established but particulars have not been defined, especially regarding the issue of adequate clear margins in rectal lesions and the efficacy of extended lymphatic resections. As earlier disease is discovered, the execution of well-designed prospective studies evaluating rectum-sparing operations will be required to settle these issues.