[Problems of local recurrence in colorectal cancer]

Recurrences after surgery of primary colorectal cancer are mostly disseminated. Therefore a second resection can only be done in 30-40% of the cases. Resectability and prognosis were much better in asymptomatic patients than after the onset of symptoms. Patients with recurrences at the anastomotic site had the best prognosis for they could be radically resected in up to 70%. Five year survival is 28% after radical resection of the locally recurrent tumour, whereas only 6% of the patients after palliative procedures survive 5 years.