Total mesorectal excision in the treatment of rectal cancer: a review.
Despite the improvements in preoperative staging, surgical technique and adjuvant therapy, local recurrence remains a significant problem in rectal cancer surgery. Several patient- and tumour-related risk factors for the development of local recurrence have been identified and are being addressed by regimens of pre- or postoperative adjuvant therapy. Total mesorectal excision (TME) recently has been shown to result in a low recurrence rate even without the use of adjuvant therapy. Nevertheless, conclusive evidence in the form of a prospective randomized trial is to date not available. This paper describes the technique of TME and reviews the clinical and pathological data supporting its use in rectal cancer surgery.
Ceelen
W
W
Department of Abdominal Surgery, Gent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium. Wim.ceelen@rug.ac.be
Pattyn
P
P
D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery