Treatment of carcinoma of the large intestine 1939-1968

Abstract

The immediate and late results of 196 cases of carcinoma of the colon and 669 cases of carcinoma of the rectum treated under the care of one surgeon between 1937 and 1968 are reviewed. In tumours confined to the bowel the uncorrected 5-year survival rate was 75-90 per cent. Spread of the growth to the regional lymph-nodes greatly affected the prognosis. The changing pattern of surgical treatment undertaken during this period is discussed.