Abstract

This study is a retrospective review of the diagnosis and management nineteen patients presenting with local recurrent rectal cancer at a single institution during on a 5 year period. Local recurrence developed in 19 patients, at a median interval of 17 (range 4-28) months after curative surgery. In nine patients CEA level was above 500 mg/ml. Low-anterior resection were performed in 13 patients, abdominoperineal resection in 6 patients. Recurrent rectal cancer carries an extremely poor prognosis with a median survival time of seven months. In appropriately selected cases, surgical therapy wherever possible, produces disease-free survival in patients recurrent rectal cancer.