Table 1. Baseline patient and tumour characteristics.
| Gender | Number (%) |
|---|---|
| Male | 33 (72) |
| Female | 13 (28) |
| WHO PS | Number of patients (%) |
| 0 | 37 (80) |
| 1 | 8 (17) |
| 2 | 1 (2) |
| Age: median 61.5 years (range, 34–78 years) | |
| Distance from distal tumour margin to anal verge using rigid sigmoidoscope: | |
| Median 7.0 cm (range, 0–12.0 cm) | |
| Location | Number of patients (%) |
| 0–5 cm | 12 (26) |
| >5–10 cm | 30 (65) |
| >10–12 cm | 4 (9) |
| Local stage (MRI) | Number of patients (%) |
| T3 | 38 (83) |
| T4 | 8 (17) |
| N0 | 10 (22) |
| N1 | 26 (56) |
| N2 | 10 (22) |
| Relation of primary tumour to mesorectum (MRI) | |
| Mesorectal fascia not involveda | 4 |
| Mesorectal fascia potentially involved (⩽1 mm from primary tumour) (n) | 15 |
| Mesorectal fascia involved but not breached by primary tumour) (n) | 12 |
| Mesorectal fascia breached (n) | 15 |
a
Low third cancers ⩽50 mm from anal verge, one with definite involvement of external anal sphincter.