[Radical colectomy in cancer of the transverse colon]

The authors discuss the optimal surgical attitude in the cases of 44 patients with cancers of the transverse colon (excluding the angular localizations), representing 5.4% of the total number of colic cancers operated in the Clinic over the last 20 years. All the patients were in stages C and D (according to the Turnbull and Dukes classification), and the general index of resectibility of 79%. Segmental transverse colectomy should be reserved for patients of advanced age, as well as for those with organic disturbances, altered general condition, of when there is extensive loco-regional involvement, or metastases at distance. Fifteen patients were included in these categories. Extended transverse colectomy, with radical intent from the oncological standpoint, appears to be the optimal attitude in the cases of patients which do not have any of the contraindications mentioned above. Twenty patients were in this group. The postoperative death rate was 11.4% for the entire group of patients in whom resections were performed. Five patients (25%) have survived according to our data between 5 and 11 years after extensive radical colectomy.