title: [Rectal cancer].
abstract: The most common symptom of rectal cancer is bleeding. The average diagnostic delay is half a year. Colonoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis and computed tomography scanning of the body are carried out before the operation to assess the extent, and the level of carcinoembryonic antigen is determined from the serum. In cancers grown through the intestinal wall or spread to the mesorectal lymph nodes, local radiotherapy is applied preoperationally. The surgical operation involves total mesorectal excision with low-rectal anastomosis. Cytotoxic chemotherapy of a disseminated cancer will improve the quality of life.
authors.affiliation: HYKS:n kirurgian klinikka, PL 340, 00029 HUS.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lepistö
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Osterlund
authors.forename: Mauri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kouri
authors.forename: Heikki J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Järvinen
mesh_terms: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen