PATHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF TOTAL MESORECTAL EXCISION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RECTAL-CANCER

Some 50 total mesorectal excision specimens were examined following re ctal excision for cancer. Circumferential margin involvement was rare, but mesorectal tumour deposits were present in 17 of 44 patients with pT(3) tumours, and 23 of 44 had mesorectal nodal involvement. No pati ent with a pT(2) tumour had mesorectal involvement. Failure to excise the mesorectum completely has the potential to leave gross or microsco pic residual disease that may in theory predispose to local failure. T otal mesorectal excision is necessary to avoid incomplete pathological evaluation of the mesorectum and understaging of rectal cancer.