Clinico-pathological features of prognostic significance in operable rectal cancer in 17 centres in the U.K. (Third report of the M.R.C. Trial, on behalf of the Working Party).

Clinico-pathological features of prognostic significance in rectal cancer are described in 824 patients who were treated at 17 centres in the Medical Research Council Trial of radiotherapy in operable cancer of the rectum. Among the pre-operative assessments the mobility of the tumour was the one most strongly related to prognosis. Other variables predictive of outcome were the number of involved quadrants of the rectum, the distance of the tumour from the anal verge and the age of the patient. Of assessments made at surgery or immediately after, the report of a curative operation and the Dukes' classification most closely related to prognosis. The information presented supports the idea that a pre-operative clinical staging system for rectal cancer would be feasible and useful.