Abstract
Conclusions: There is marked variation in the quality of surgery for rectal cancer. This is shown not only by variation in CRM positivity rates between surgeons but also in local recurrence rates and mortality. Good TME rectal surgery leads to a marked reduction in all three. Data fromArbman et al. andHeald’s data suggests that it is possible to improve 5 year survival from 48% to 68% if this is achieved in practice then surgery can yield a much bigger improvement than currently suggested from adjuvant therapy.
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References
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Quirke, P. Pathology of the mesorectum — Implications for routine reporting. Acta Chir Austriaca 29, 103–104 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02619758
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02619758