During a 20 months period (1. 10. 1985-31. 5. 1987) 20 patients with advanced rectal carcinoma received palliative treatment by laser (Neodymium-YAG), 18 for subtotal rectal stenosis, two for profuse bleeding from an exophytic tumour. Re-establishment of intestinal passage or stoppage of bleeding was achieved in all patients, after a mean of 3.4 (1-5) applications. The treatment was well tolerated, cured the anaemia, removed the obstruction and ended painful stool evacuation. To-date 11 patients have died, seven of the malignant tumour. Nine patients are still alive. The mean survival time for all 20 patients is 5.3 months so far, similar to that after a palliative colostomy. There were no complications.