Colorectal cancer emergencies.

From the variety of operative choices for colorectal cancer emergencies, it is difficult to select the best one for the individual patient, who is often old and frail. Appropriate handling of the emergency situation is essential. Treatment of the patient's malignant disease is secondary. The choice of surgical procedure in colorectal cancer emergencies must be based on sound clinical judgement and should be in keeping with the technical skill and experience of the individual surgeon. Surgical failures have major negative consequences not only for the immediate postoperative course, but also for long-term survival and quality of life of these patients.