Electrocoagulation for adenocarcinoma of the low rectum.

Cancers of the distal rectum (less than 7.5 cm from the anal verge) that are freely mobile, moderately well or well differentiated, less than 4 cm in size, limited to the bowel wall, and without evidence of metastasis should be considered candidates for treatment with electrocoagulation for cure. Tumor cell ploidy and evaluation with intrarectal ultrasound may in the future add additional useful information with regard to patient selection. Electrocoagulation and laser ablation of tumors may also be useful modalities for palliation of patients with metastatic disease or who are not candidates for curative surgery.