Abstract
From 1949 to 1977, 39 patients with localized malignant retrorectal tumors were treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Chordomas were the most frequent histologic type (38 per cent of patients) followed by neurogenic tumors (15 per cent) chondrosarcomas, hemangiopericytomas, and embryonal adenocarcinomas (8 per cent each). Treatment consisted of surgical excision in 28 patients (18 of whom received adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy). Ten patients were treated nonsurgically, receiving radiation and/or chemotherapy alone.
Large tumors were most successfully managed by a combined surgical approach consisting of exploratory celiotomy, rectal mobilization, and bilateral hypogastric artery (with middle sacral artery and vein) ligation, followed by transsacral tumor excision with incontinuity sacrectomy.
For all treated patients, survival at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years was 69 per cent, 50 per cent, 37 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. Long-term disease-free survival (17 to 25 years post treatment) was noted in six patients
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Spencer, RJ, Jackman RJ. Surgical management of precoccygeal cysts. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1962;115:449–52.
Uhlig BE, Johnson RL, Presacral tumors and cysts in adults. Dis Colon Rectum 1975;18:581–96.
Freier DT, Stanley JC, Thompson NW. Retrorectal tumors in adults. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1971;132:681–6.
MacCarty CS, Waugh JM, Coventry MB, O'Sullivan DC. Sacrococcygeal chordomas. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1961;113:551–4.
Localio SA, Francis KC, Rossano PG. Abdominosacral resection of sacrococcygeal chordoma. Ann Surg 1967;166:394–402.
Pack GT, Miller TR. A plea for the synchronous combined abdominoperineal surgical approach for certain pelvic tumors. Surgery 1965;57:613–14.
Mayer K, Pentlow KS, Marcove RC, et al. Sulfur-35 therapy for chondrosarcoma and chordoma. In: Spencer RP, ed. Therapy in nuclear medicine. New York: Grune & Stratton, 1978:185–92.
Marcove RC, Miller TR. Treatment of primary and metastatic bone tumors by cryosurgery. JAMA 1969;207:1890–4.
Jackman RJ, Clark PL, Smith ND. Retrorectal tumors. JAMA 1951;145:956–62.
Lovelady SB, Dockerty MB. Extragenital pelvic tumors in women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1949;58:215–36.
Gray SW, Singhabhandhu B, Smith RA, Skandalakis JE. Sacrococcygeal chordoma: report of a case and review of the literature. Surgery 1975;78:573–82.
MacCarty CS, Waugh JM, Mayo CW, Coventry MB. The surgical treatment of presacral tumors; a combined problem. Mayo Clin Proc 1952;27:73–84.
McCune WS, Management of sacrococcygeal tumors. Ann Surg 1964;159:911–8.
Gunterberg B, Kewenter J, Petersén I, Stener B. Anorectal function after major resections of the sacrum with bilateral or unilateral sacrifice of sacral nerves. Br J Surg 1976;63:546–54.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 7 to 11, 1981.
About this article
Cite this article
Cody, H.S., Marcove, R.C. & Quan, S.H. Malignant retrorectal tumors: 28 years' experience at memorial sloan-kettering cancer center. Dis Colon Rectum 24, 501–506 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02604308
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02604308