title: Surgery for recurrent rectal cancer: higher and wider?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There has been a steady increase in the number of centres that carry out resection of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC). The aim of this review was to highlight the present management and suggest technical strategies that may improve survival and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  The review identified relevant studies from an electronic search of MEDLINE and PubMed databases between 1980 and 2011. References in published articles were also reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgical intervention offers the best hope to control LRRC but the proportion of patients offered this remains small. Certain contraindications previously considered to be absolute should now be thought of as relative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness of the surgical options and a willingness to consider more aggressive options may result in more patients being considered for potentially curative resection.
authors.affiliation: The John Goligher Department of Colorectal Surgery, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Harji
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: McArthur
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sagar
mesh_terms: D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*