OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors affecting the result and selection of local excision for low rectal cancer.

METHODSThe clinical data of 101 patients with low rectal cancer treated by local excision were retrospectively analyzed. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier. The factors influencing on the survival were analyzed using univariate (Log rank) and multivariate (Cox model) analysis methods.

RESULTSOf 101 patients in this series, 91 patients underwent transanal excision, 9 had transsacral excision, 1 recieved transvaginal excision. Postopertative complication developed in 6 patients (5.9%). No death occurred within 30 postoperative days. Five T4 patients underwent preoperative radiotherapy, and 34 received postoperative radiotherapy. The overall 5-year survival rate was 91.0% for the whole group, and it was 100%, 92.6%, 77.1%, 83.3% for patients with Tis, T1, T2, and T3/T4 lesion, respectively. The incidence of local recurrence was 15. 8%. Univariate analysis revealed that pathological T stage, tumor size (> 3 cm), lymphovascular invasion, ulcerative lesion, adjuvant radiotherapy and local recurrence were significant factors affecting the survival (P <0.05). However, by multivariate analysis, only tumor size ( > 3 cm) and local recurrence were found to be the significant prognostic predictors.

CONCLUSIONThe important selection criteria for local excision in the treatment of low rectal cancer may include T1 stage, well or moderate differentiation,tumor size < or = 3 cm, no lymphovascular invasion.