Backround: Rectal cancer makes up 2-3% of all cancers in Iceland and surgery is the mainstay of its treatment. Information regarding those who undergo resection of the rectum because of rectal cancer or its precursors in Iceland today is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate what kind of surgical treatment rectal cancer patients receive at Landspitali University Hospital along with peri-operative and long-term outcomes.

Methods: The study was retrospective. All patients undergoing total or partial resection of the rectum for rectal cancer or its precursor from 2008-2012 in Landspitali University hospital were included. Information regarding age, sex, surgery, neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment along with reoperations and survival were gathered.

Results: The total number of patients included were 144. Mean age was 66 years (33-89). Neoadjuvant treatment was used in 65 (45%) cases. Most of the patients (65%) underwent anterior resection of the rectum, 21% abdominoperineal resection, 11% Hartmann´s procedure and 3% other surgery. Majority of the patients had a cancer diagnoses (88%) but 12% had dysplastic adenomas. An anastomosis was made in 67% of cases, others (33%) got a permanent stoma. Reoperation rate within 30 days was 12%. Thirty day and 1 year mortality were 0.7% and 6.2% respectively. Average follow up time was 56 months (1-98). Local recurrence rate was 7,1%, five year survival rate was 77%.  

Conclusion: The surgical treatment for rectal cancer in Landspitali is up to international standard. Perioperative and long-term outcomes are similar to what other authors have reported.

Table I   Number of patients that received neoadjuvant treatment before surgery.

Table II   Stage for those who had rectal cancer.

Table III   Number of patients that received adjuvant treatment after surgery.

Table IV   Indications for reoperations within 30 days of rectal surgery.

Figure I   Rate of different types of surgeries. Abdominoperineal resection.

Figure II   Kaplan Meier plot for survival in years.