MANAGEMENT OF ADVANCED RECTAL-CANCER

If possible, palliative resection should be undertaken for advanced re ctal cancer as it provides good relief of local symptoms; there is, ho wever, little evidence that it prolongs survival. If palliative excisi on is not possible, endoscopic transanal resection may be used for obs tructing lesions at or below the peritoneal reflection. Laser therapy is an alternative in the frail. Both procedures allow quick and effect ive relief of symptoms. These methods and other options for treating a dvanced rectal cancer are described in this review.