Multiple primary malignant tumours of patients treated for colorectal carcinoma (clinical analysis of 61 cases).

Multiple primary malignant tumours were found by the authors in a population of 543 patients treated during 10 years for colorectal cancer at an incidence rate of 11.2%. Thirty-nine of 69 patients had tumours of metachronous and 22 of synchronous appearance. Of patients treated for multiple tumours, the ratio of women (p less than 0.1) was much higher, the average age was much (2 years) higher and occurrence of malignant disease in the family was more frequent than in those with a solitary tumour. Based on the high incidence reported on in the literature and in their own material, they draw attention to the practical, clinical aspects of the problem. The difficulties in diagnosing multiple colonic tumours are described in detail, pointing out the importance and possibility of pre- and intra-operative examinations aiming at completeness. Based on survival data, it is stated that multiple malignancies do not by all means imply incurability. An improvement of therapeutic results is expected, beside the improvement of surgical results, of the introduction of up-to-date examination methods, of the care and continuous follow-up of the patients at risk.