Laser treatment of rectosigmoid villous tumors. Study of a series of 313 patients

Endoscopic laser treatment is reported in 313 patients with benign rectosigmoid villous adenomas. Total tumor destruction was achieved in 92% of them, without any major complications. The circumferential extension of the tumor base was the only factor affecting this result. During the average 37-month follow-up period of the patients with total tumor destruction, 14% had a tumor recurrence. The recurrence rate after initial treatment was higher a) in patients treated for a recurrence after a previous non laser treatment, b) when the initial histology was low-grade dysplasia and c) when the tumor was located in the lower or middle rectum. Because treatment is long and difficult with a high cancer rate, laser treatment for patients with a circumferential villous adenoma should be limited to nonsurgical candidates. In the other cases, laser is well adapted to old and fragile patients, when transanal resection seems difficult or in case of recurrence after a previous non-laser treatment.