Total rectal resection and complete mesorectum excision followed by coloendoanal anastomosis as the optimal treatment for low rectal cancer: the experience of the National Cancer Institute of Milano.

Background: At present, abdominoperineal resection remains the most diffuse method of treatment of very low rectal cancer. Today, we can avoid this method in some patients by using a sphincter-saving procedure.
Methods: From March 1990 to January 1999, 273 consecutive total rectal resections and coloendoanal anastomoses were performed at our Institute; this study concerns 141 consecutive patients treated for a primary adenocarcinoma of the distal rectum, from 3.5 to 8 cm from the anal verge. Patient stratification, based on definitive pathological report, was 31 Dukes' stage A (T2N0), 44 stage B (T3N0), and 66 stage C (T2N+-T3N+).
Results: Overall recurrence rate was 9.2%; postoperative morbidity attributable to the procedure was low. A perfect continence was documented in 61% of cases. The only pathological factor related to local recurrence rate is peritumoral lymphocytic reaction inside and around the tumor (P = .0005 and .031) independently from the number of metastatic lymph nodes, depth of fatty tissue infiltration, and lymphatic and venous neoplastic emboli. The minimum follow-up time is 12 months.
Conclusions: Our data, in accordance with other authors, seem to highlight the relevant role that a well-practiced surgery, together with accurate information on the spreading of this disease, has in achieving an optimal local control of cancer.