Role of Peritoneal Cytology in Patients with Early Stage Colorectal Cancer

The main objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of free tumour cells in peritoneal lavage cytology performed using a standard method before and after the resection of the tumour, and to assess the usefulness of this technique in scheduled interventions on colorectal cancer patients. Peritoneal lavage cytology was performed on a homogeneous sample of 188 patients undergoing colorectal cancer curative resection before and after the resection of the tumour. The procedure was performed systematically in all cases. Malignant cells were detected in the peritoneal lavage cytology performed before the resection of the tumour in three patients. Lymph node affection was the variable most associated with the prognosis of these colorectal cancer patients. Peritoneal lavage cytology can provide additional information for a small group of patients who need to be closely monitored and studied to decide on the most effective type of chemotherapy.