The treatment of early colorectal cancer by local excision.

An analysis is presented of 143 patients with early colorectal carcinoma treated by local excision between 1948 and 1972 at St Mark's Hospital. The tumours are considered in three groups; colonic tumours, pedunculated rectal tumours and non-pedunculated rectal tumours. The importance of careful clinical assessment and accurate pathological examination is emphasized. Local excision of the tumours, using various operative techniques, gave good results and this method of management can be recommended in the carefully selected case.