Local recurrence of colorectal tumors after endoscopic mucosal resection

We evaluated intramucosal local recurrences of 114 colorectal tumors which were removed by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Removals of all these lesions were judged as successful by endoscopic absence of residual tumor immediately after EMR. The presence of residual tumor was determined by histologic and stereomicroscopic examinations in the lateral margin of resected specimen. There was no evidence of intramucosal local recurrence in 91 lesions with negative margin. However, intramucosal local recurrence occurred in 3 of 23 lesions (13%) with positive margin. Consequently endoscopic follow-up is mandatory in patients with lateral margin positive for tumor tissue in the EMR specimen.