[Cancer of the rectum: analysis of incidence and survival at the Casale Monferato Provincial Hospital].

Between 1978 and 1984, 34 patients carrier of rectal neoplasms, were observed and treated in Divisione di Chirurgia Generale of Casale Monferrato Hospital. Twenty of such patients had been operated with curative procedures and 14 with palliative procedures. At the moment of this investigation 14 patients were still alive. The survival rate at 5 years, referred to '78, '79, '80, '81, respectively was 37.2%. For the last three years, the fifth year delay time shall be waited. The survival rates per year, have been reported her, for the whole period of the investigation. The AA, have evaluated the gross incidence rate for male and female patients (3.1 and 2.1 respectively). Survival and incidence data have been composed to those reported in the literature. Whilst survival rates agree with those from other authors, the incidence rates result considerably lower than those from other West Countries. It could be abscribed to an underestimation of the actual number of rectal neoplasm bearing patients, which could escape the investigation because diagnosticed and treated elsewhere. It should be noted nevertheless that the Casale Hospital supplies a scarcely industrialized urban area, and a wide rural environment, so that resident population might be included within one of the groups partially protected by environmental and alimentary conritions against the disease. In conclusion the AA. consider of a primary importance the development of centres suitable for base medicine aimed at assuring a real and effective prevention activity.