COLORECTAL CANCER SURGERY IN REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF DURRES, ALBANIA

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths in the western world. Due to the fact that CRC is mostly asymptomatic until it progresses to advanced stages, the implementation of screening programs aimed at early detection is essential to reduce incidence and mortality rates. The aim of our study is to assess the role of TME in the treatment of rectal cancer in last two decades and show our modest experience applying this innovative technique. This is a retrospective study of 67 patients diagnosed with CRC admitted to Surgery Service, Durres Hospital between March 2010 - June 2015. Only 20.1% of patients (14) were diagnosed with rectal cancer with Duke’s B (T3, N 0, M0) and C (T 2-3, N4-5, M0), underwent operation according to the principle of TME. 47.7 % of patients (32) were diagnosed with sigmoid and left colon cancer and underwent operation according to the principle of IMA, 7.4 % of patients (4) were diagnosed with ileocecal cancer and 23 % of patients (16) were diagnosed with transverse and right colon cancer. Six of all the patients are operated in the emergency. Total mesorectal excision has become the new standard of operative rectal cancer management. To preoperatively identify patients who will most likely benefit from (neo-) adjuvant therapy, emphasis needs to be put on better preoperative staging and imaging. TME technique is now considered as a “gold standard” for the treatment of rectal carcinoma.