[The so-called inoperable rectal carcinoma. Simultaneously, a contribution to the prognosis of rectal carcinoma].

Rectal cancer is quite easy to identify. Simple methods of investigations and early symptoms should allow a good prognosis. This is patholphysiologically supported by slow increasement and relatively late filialisation along long metastatic roads. Therefore it is to be regretted, that of 632 patients, suffering from rectal cancer in the years 1955-1970, 179 (28,3%) could not be treated on cure. Even palliative procedures had a postoperative mortality of 24,6%. This delay in early diagnose reduced the time of survival from 72% 2-jears-survival, when operated on cure (see article) to 59,1% (see article), respectively from 52,1% 5-years-survival (see article) to 38,5% (see article). These results can be only improved by regular prophylactic examinations.