Resection of local recurrence of rectal cancer: Results

Locally recurrent rectal cancer is a difficult clinical problem, and surgic al resection can be done only in selected patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the results of resecting the local recurrence of rectal ca ncer and to analyze factors that might predict curative reresection and tho se that affect survival. Forty-seven patients who underwent resection for l ocally recurrent rectal cancer formed the basis of the study. Twenty-four w ere curative in nature, and the others were palliative. There was no operat ive mortality, and the complication rate was 38%. The median survival of th e whole group was 16.5 months. The ability to perform curative resection wa s found to be the only independent factor associated with improved survival . Female gender is a significant factor associated with curative resection of local recurrence. In patients with curative reresection, local control i s up to 87%. It was concluded that resection of local recurrent rectal canc er can achieve good local control and can improve survival in selected pati ents. The ability to perform curative resection is associated with survival benefit, and female gender is associated with the increased possibility of carrying out curative resection.