[Rectal carcinoma in childhood].

The authors report on the case of a 12-year-old girl on whom surgery was performed for primary carcinoma of the rectum with a case history of one year. The tumour had already infiltrated the vagina. Abdominoperineal amputation of the rectum was performed. An extended tumour relapse and metastases in the liver were found on relaparotomy which had to be performed three years later The prognosis was, therefore, unfavourable indeed. Numerous publications prove that carcinoma of the rectum must be given differential diagnostic consideration even in childhood, especially if there are unclear deposits of blood in the faeces in conjunction with abdominal pain and loss of weight. Usually, the "fatal pause" between the first symptoms and the correct diagnosis is too long. Once the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, carcinoma of the rectum has a very unfavourable prognosis even in children. Simple digito-rectal examination can decisively improve the survival rate.