Laser fulguration for palliation of rectal tumours.

Palliative therapy for rectal carcinoma includes control of bleeding, tenesmus, mucous discharge, obstruction and pain. These local symptoms can cause serious morbidity for patients with locally advanced or metastatic rectal cancer. As an alternative to surgical resection for palliation, the authors applied endoscopic laser fulguration in 15 patients with rectal tumours; 14 experienced immediate relief of symptoms. At 6.4 months' follow-up, two patients had recurrent tenesmus and two required a colostomy. A high degree of patient acceptance makes laser fulguration for rectal tumours an important modality, for palliation; however, control of tenesmus may be temporary.