Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the approval, development or analysis of APR surgery as an approved treatment for a disease of the spine that requires surgery [50933/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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An abdominoperineal resection (APR) is a surgery for rectal cancer or anal cancer. APRs involve the removal of the anus, the rectum and part of the sigmoid colon along with the associated (regional) lymph nodes. These procedures therefore require very specialised surgical and clinical expertise.

The HSE-National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is responsible for the implementation of the National Cancer Control Strategy which aims to achieve better cancer prevention, early detection and treatment that maximise survival through a co-ordinated national service, based on international evidence and best practice. For this reason the majority of cancer services are provided in 8 designated cancer centres.

The HSE-NCCP has made substantial progress in reorganising site specific cancers so as to improve outcomes and one of its main priorities for 2013 is to continue to transfer rectal cancer surgery from 13 centres into the 8 cancer centres.

I have referred the Deputy's specific question to the HSE, for direct reply, as it requires input from the clinical specialists involved in treatment of diseases of the spine.