Treatment of obstructing cancer of the colon and rectum.

A review was made of 128 patients who had obstructing cancer of the colon and rectum. About one-third of the patients had metastatic disease at the time of presentation. Primary resection carried an initial higher mortality rate than staged resection, but at one year and three years, no statistical difference can be found between the two procedures. There are high morbidity and mortality rates with all forms of treatment. A controlled comparative trial of primary and staged resection is recommended in the treatment of obstructing cancer of the colon and rectum.