ObjectiveTo evaluate the significance and effect for surgery of Dukes D stage colorectal carcinoma. MethodsEightytwo cases of Dukes D stage colorectal carcinoma who underwent surgery from 1991 to 1998 were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsTwentyone patients experienced extended resections,29 patients palliative resection, 19 patients sideside anastomosis and 13 patients laparotomy and biopsy of the tumor. Patients with extended resections had significantly long survival time, quality of life in these patients were excellent in 71.4%, good in 23.8%, and fair in 4.8%; whereas quality of life in the group with palliative resections were excellent in 62.1%, good in 17.2%, fair in 13.8%, and poor in 6.9%. The other two groups had a bad postoperative effect, short survival time and poor quality of life. ConclusionIf the patients with Dukes D stage colorectal carcinoma have operative indications,surgical therapy should be actively performed and the postoperative survival rate and quality of life can be improved.