[Rectum extirpation or rectum resection in rectal cancer?]

Rate of recurrences and morbidity of anterior resection and abdomino-perineal extirpation in cancer of the rectum and especially of the midrectum are correlated to tumor localization, -staging and -grading. Regarding stage of the tumor both surgical procedures are equivalent. Poorer prognosis after abdomino-perineal extirpation is mainly due to advanced tumor stage. In cancer of the midrectum anterior resection should be performed.