Introduction and Influence of Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) in the Treatment of Rectal Cancer

Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer, Colorectal Surgery, Surgery, Local neoplasm recurrence, survival, Follow-up Study

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is a rather new operation technique in the treatment of rectal cancer. It is known to reduce the rate of local recurrences. However, the influence on long-term survival is unclear.

Background The TME technique for rectal cancer surgery was introduced in our department in summer 1995. TME is known to reduce the rate of local recurrences. However, its influence on long-term survival in unclear. All patients with rectal cancer from 1993 to 2001 are reviewed. The patients charts are reviewed and the following main characteristics are retrieved: age, gender, time of operation, operation technique, tumor stage, tumor localisation, tumor size, neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment, complications, follow-up with respect to the appearance of local recurrences and distant metastases. Comparison of two groups of patients. Group 1: patients operated before summer 1995, that is before the introduction of TME. Group 2: patients operated after summer 1995, that is after the introduction of TME. Objective Study the influence of a new operation method (TME) on outcome (local recurrence, survival). Methods All patients with rectal cancer from 1993 to 2001 are reviewed. The patients charts are reviewed and the following main characteristics are retrieved: age, gender, time of operation, operation technique, tumor stage, tumor localisation, tumor size, neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment, complications, follow-up with respect to the appearance of local recurrences and distant metastases. Comparison of two groups of patients. Group 1: patients operated before summer 1995, that is before the introduction of TME. Group 2: patients operated after summer 1995, that is after the introduction of TME.

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