Palliative and curative electrocoagulation for rectal cancer. Experience and results.

The 18-year experience with electrocoagulation of rectal cancer in 51 patients is reported. The "boiling" technique used in this study is described. Electrocoagulation for palliative purpose was carried out in 18 patients. One patient is alive without evidence of disease after 4 years. The remaining 17 patients died within 2 years. Electrocoagulation for cure was performed in 33 patients. In two patients abdominoperineal resection was needed for residual tumor. All cases were strictly followed, and none of the patients died of cancer. Recurrent tumor was never seen, and the crude 5-year survival was 71%. The authors describe the criteria for selection any patient should meet in order to be eligible for electrocoagulation with curative purpose and advocate caution in making the choice between radical and local surgery.