Diagnosis and therapy of metastatic and recurrent colorectal tumours

A total of 77 patients were treated for recurrent and metastatic colorectal tumours. The follow-up protocols after elective operations are reviewed, making a distinction between interventions for colonic or rectal tumours. The diagnostic and therapeutical principles applied in the cases of the individual recurrences and metastases (i.e., anastomosis recurrence, metachronous tumours, local recurrence, liver, lung, lymph node and bone metastases) and the results are discussed in detail. The author's attitude favouring a more active than the hitherto applied surgical management of the recurrences and metastases of colorectal tumours is presented.