In 1909, Jamieson and Dobson stated the surgical principle of lymphatic gland removal in colon cancer surgery. In 1938, Gordon-Watson proposed that manipulations during operation for rectal cancer may cause separation of a thrombus and cause metastasis. In 1941, Dukes described venous spread of rectal cancer. In 1952, Barnes advocated vascular ligation prior to colon mobilization to prevent intravascular tumor dissemination. In 1955, Fischer and Turnbull demonstrated tumor cells in the mesenteric venous blood in patients with colorectal carcinoma. In 1967, Turnbull and colleagues described colectomy for cancer by the “no-touch” isolation technic. A study by Wiggers suggested a limited benefit for this technique. A study by Takii failed to confirm the superiority of the no-touch technique.