Routine endoscopic surveillance for local recurrence of rectal cancer is futile

National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for rectal adenocarcinoma regarding routine surveillance with proctoscopy for local recurrence have been evolving. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of rectal surveillance.

This is a single-center, retrospective review of patients (2004 to 2011) who underwent total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. The primary end point was cancer recurrence, with detection method(s) noted. The number of surveillance procedures was collected.

The study included 112 patients. There were no local recurrences identified by rectal surveillance. There were 1 local recurrence and 17 distant recurrences (16%). The local recurrence was identified by carcinoembryonic antigen and symptoms. There were 20 anoscopies, 44 proctoscopies, and 495 flexible sigmoidoscopies performed, with estimated charges of $266,000.

Rectal surveillance at this center was not beneficial. This study supports the recent (2015) change in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, which no longer recommend routine rectal surveillance and challenge other society guidelines.