Extended radical resection: the choice for locally recurrent rectal cancer.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Surgery for recurrent rectal cancer is the only therapy with curative potential. This study was designed to assess factors that affect survival after surgery for locally recurrent rectal cancer. METHODS: Prospective databases of patients undergoing surgical resection for recurrent rectal cancer at three tertiary centers between 1990 and 2006 were combined and analyzed. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to assess factors associated with survival. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients (96 males) underwent surgery (median age, 63 (range, 27-93) years). Ninety-five patients (59 percent) received neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Sixty-three patients (39 percent) underwent r..