Implantation of tumor cells as a factor in recurrence of carcinoma of the rectosigmoid.Report of four cases with implantation at dentate line

ONSIDERABIX interest has been aroused in C recent years regarding the implantation of nialignant cells krom colonic lesions onto raw mucosal surfaces distal to the primary tumor.Much of the significance relating to this problem 01 implantation stems from the proposal that it plays a significant role in the recurrence of carcinonia at or below the line oi anastomosis lollowing anterior resection ot lesions in the distal colon.Our interest in this problem developed during the management of a case in which implantation seemed to be the only logical explanation for the appearance of a secondary growth distal to a lesion primary in the rectosigmoid.T h e l'ollowing study was undertaken in an attempt to evaluate several factors relating to the general problem of implantation.