[Endothelial cells in tumors of the rectum and large intestine].

In 40 controls and 102 patients with tumours of the rectum and large intestine the number of circulating anuclear cell residues of endothelial cells was investigated. The number of these endothelia in the blood of patients was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in healthy subjects. After successful surgery of the tumour and subsequent chemotherapy the number of endothelia in venous blood reached normal levels with in 1-2 months. Conversely in patients where despite surgery secondaries were detected in other organs, the number of endothelia remained elevated.