title: Improvement of colo-rectal cancer surgery following introduction of endoscopical approach.
abstract: In the period 1968-1993, we treated 399 patients for colo-rectal cancer. Up to 1980, preceding large scale use of endoscopy, 217 patients, out of the group of 399, were submitted to surgery; at time of diagnosis all patients had symptoms of advanced colonic tumor (intestinal obstruction; palpable mass; significant rectal bleeding); none of the lesions detected was in Dukes A or B1 groups; 56 patients were in Dukes B2 and stages C1 + C2 + D were detected in 161 cases. In period 1981-1993 we treated 182 patients; in all cases the diagnosis consisted of endoscopical examinations. Out of this group 69 patients underwent endoscopic resection of polyps with focal neoplastic degeneration: 44 did not require surgery according to Haggitt criteria. In the group of 138 patients who underwent surgery, 89 were in Dukes A + B1 + B2 groups and 49 were in Dukes C1 + C2 + D groups. In our experience endoscopy is not essential in the clear cut colonic neoplasms, however it is an invaluable screening test in early stages, in poor symptomatic population, in elderly patients (> 50 y.o.) and in patients with non specific symptoms. We wish to emphasize how endoscopy has improved the results of colonic cancer surgery.
authors.affiliation: University of Milan-Chair of General Surgery II, Italy.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Taschieri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montecamozzo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Porretta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cristaldi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Danelli
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elli
mesh_terms: D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care; D011351:Proctoscopy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome