The risk of developing rectal cancer after colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis in Danish patients with polyposis coli

Abstract

A total of 58 Danish polyposis patients had been treated with colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis by the end of 1982. Of these patients, 3 developed rectal cancer despite regular proctoscopic control, but 1 was probably an overlooked synchronous cancer. The cumulative risk at 5 and 10 yr after operation (actuarial method) was 3.5 and 13.3% (95% confidence limits 0-10.3 and 0-70.3%, respectively), which seem to be acceptably low figures. Cholectomy and ileorectal anastomosis is still the operation of choice in polyposis patients without rectal cancer.