Abdominal perineal resection

Also known as: Abdominoperineal resection of the rectum, AP resection, APR, Abdominoperineal excision of the rectum, Abdominoperineal excision
Surgery is the most common treatment for all stages of rectal cancer. If the cancer has spread into the wall of the rectum, the section of the rectum with cancer and nearby healthy tissue is removed. Sometimes the tissue between the rectum and the abdominal wall is also removed. The lymph nodes near the rectum are removed and checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.