Is early surveillance with CT scan necessary in patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer: a retrospective study

This analysis aims to evaluate the value of early surveillance within 6 months after resection for stage II/III colorectal cancer (CRC).

Patients with stage II/III CRC who received surgery with curative intent for CRC were included. CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis performed within 6 months after surgery were evaluated.

Among 150 patients included in the study, 10 patients (1 occurred in stage II disease and 9 occurred in stage III) were diagnosed as recurrence within 6 months after surgery. The proportion of patients diagnosed as recurrence was significantly higher in stage III disease than in stage II disease (P = 0.01). The likelihood of recurrence within 6 months was associated with the extent of lymph node metastases (r = 0.205, P = 0.012). Three patients with recurrent disease underwent salvage resection with curative intent.

Early surveillance with CT scan within 6 months after curative resection may not be necessary for stage II disease. Although, the strategy may be helpful for stage III disease considering the high incidence of salvage surgery for recurrence disease, the early detection of recurrence could not be translated into survival benefit.